About acetazolamide
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Used for
- Glaucoma and raised eye pressure
- Acute mountain sickness prevention or treatment
- Certain fluid-retention conditions
- Some seizure disorders
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition: commonly 250–1,000 mg daily by mouth; injection dosing is condition-specific and clinician-directed.
Usual dose in children
Specialist-directed dosing based on weight and condition; not routinely used for children.
Common side effects
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Frequent urination
- Nausea or altered taste
- Tiredness or dizziness
Important warnings
- Can cause dehydration and low blood potassium or sodium.
- Avoid with severe kidney or liver disease, low sodium or potassium, or adrenal failure.
- Seek urgent care for severe rash, breathing difficulty, unusual bruising, or confusion.
- Long-term treatment may require blood tests and monitoring.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed after clinician assessment; risks depend on dose and timing.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts may enter milk; discuss use with a clinician, especially for newborn or premature infants.
Interactions
- High-dose aspirin can cause serious toxicity.
- May increase lithium removal and reduce its effect.
- Can raise blood levels of phenytoin or carbamazepine.
- Other diuretics or corticosteroids may worsen low potassium.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.