Acetazolamide
Information about Acetazolamide
Acetazolamide uses
Acetazolamide is used in the treatment of glaucoma.
How acetazolamide works
Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It works in glaucoma by decreasing the production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye), thereby lowering the increased eye pressure. It also acts on the kidneys to remove extra water and electrolytes through urine to relieve fluid retention and oedema (swelling). In epilepsy, it relieves seizures (fits) by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain.
Common side effects of acetazolamide
Headache, Dizziness, Tiredness, Frequent urge to urinate, Tingling sensation of extremity, Loss of appetite, Excitement, Feeling sick, Diarrhea, Taste change, Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), Numbness of extremity
Content Details
Last updated on:
12 Feb 2020 | 03:53 PM (IST)
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Expert advice for Acetazolamide
- Acetazolamide helps lower high pressure in the eye and reduce the risk of vision loss.
- For best results, put one drop 2-3 times daily in the affected eye(s).
- Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute, immediately after instilling the drop. This minimizes the risk of side effects.
- Do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, or to your eye, to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
- Remove contact lenses before using Acetazolamide, and wait at least 15 minutes before re-inserting them.
- When applying multiple eye medications, wait for at least 5-15 minutes before delivering the next medication in the same eye to avoid dilution of the medicine.
Frequently asked questions for Acetazolamide
Acetazolamide
Q. Does Acetazolamide cause weight loss?
No, Acetazolamide does not causes weight loss
Q. Does Acetazolamide cause kidney stones?
Yes, Acetazolamide has potential to cause kidney stones.