About acetazolamide
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Used for
- Glaucoma and raised eye pressure
- Prevention and treatment of altitude sickness
- Certain types of swelling or seizures
Usual adult dose
Usually 250–1,000 mg daily for glaucoma; 500–1,000 mg daily for altitude sickness, in divided doses.
Usual dose in children
For glaucoma, typically 8–30 mg/kg daily in divided doses; maximum 1,000 mg daily. Specialist dosing varies by condition.
Common side effects
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Frequent urination
- Nausea or appetite loss
- Taste changes or tiredness
Important warnings
- Can cause dehydration, low potassium, or other electrolyte problems.
- 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.
- May increase kidney stone risk; use caution with sulfonamide allergy.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; pregnancy risks depend on the condition and timing.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts may enter breast milk; consult a clinician, especially for newborn or premature infants.
Interactions
- High-dose aspirin can cause serious toxicity.
- May increase lithium elimination and reduce its effects.
- Can alter effects of phenytoin and other seizure medicines.
- Combining with other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increases adverse effects.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.