Acetazolamide is used for:

Treating certain types of glaucoma, epilepsy, or edema (fluid buildup) in combination with other medicines. It is also used to treat or prevent symptoms of mountain sickness. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It reduces fluid pressure in the eyeball by decreasing fluid formation in the eyeball. It also increases the removal of water from the body by the kidney. It also may block certain nerve discharges that may contribute to seizures.

Do NOT use Acetazolamide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Acetazolamide
• you have adrenal gland problems, low blood levels of potassium or sodium, kidney problems, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), high blood levels of chloride, or other electrolyte problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Acetazolamide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Acetazolamide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney stones, a lung disease, glaucoma (eg, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma), diabetes, or difficulty breathing
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acetazolamide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of toxic side effects of Acetazolamide may be increased
• Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, methazolamide), cyclosporine, quinidine, phenytoin, amphetamine, or sodium bicarbonate because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Primidone, salicylates (eg, aspirin), lithium, or methenamine because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acetazolamide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Acetazolamide :

Use Acetazolamide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Acetazolamide may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Drink plenty of water or fluids while taking Acetazolamide.
• When you first start taking Acetazolamide , it may cause an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. To prevent this from affecting sleep, try not to take any dose later than 6 pm.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acetazolamide.

Important safety information:

• Acetazolamide may cause drowsiness or temporary vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Acetazolamide. Using Acetazolamide alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Acetazolamide may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Acetazolamide. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Acetazolamide.
• Acetazolamide may interfere with certain lab tests. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are taking Acetazolamide.
• Diabetes patients - Acetazolamide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• LAB TESTS, including blood electrolyte levels, complete blood cell count, or platelet levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Acetazolamide with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Acetazolamide with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Acetazolamide during pregnancy. Acetazolamide is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Acetazolamide.

Possible side effects of Acetazolamide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; changes in taste; constipation; diarrhea; drowsiness; frequent urination; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; changes in hearing; convulsions; dark, bloody stools; dark urine; fast breathing; fever; lack of energy; lower back pain; red, swollen, or blistered skin; ringing in the ears; sore throat; tingling of the arms or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.