Last month as I was inventorying and rearranging the medical supplies, I came across a pile of acetazolamide (Diamox). And I had no idea why I bought it. Of course, there had to be a good reason for it, but I just couldn’t remember. It’s one of the reasons I do this research and write things down. So I logged into the blog and typed acetazolamide into the search bar on the right.
And the
article “Preventing and Treating High Altitude Sickness” provided the
answer. Anyone who might possibly find
themselves relocating to a high altitude even for a brief period might consider
having some acetazolamide on hand.
I then decided to check out what else acetazolamide is used to treat.
· Acute high altitude sickness
o Adults
§ For rapid ascent such as in rescue operations, 500-1000 mg per day in divided doses[1] [2]
§ As a preventative measure begin 24-48 hours before ascent, 125 mg twice per day, and continue for 48 hours after ascent, or as long as necessary to prevent symptoms[3] [4] [5] [6]
§ As a treatment for high altitude sickness, 250 mg twice per day[7]
o Children 12 and older
§ Extended-release formulas 500 mg, once or twice per day[8]
§ As a preventative measure begin 24-48 hours before ascent, 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, maximum 125 mg per dose[9] [10]
· Congestive heart failure
o 250-375 mg once per day in the morning[11]
· Edema
o 250-375 mg orally[12], one dose every other day or once per day for 2 days alternating with a day of rest[13] [14]
· Epilepsy
o Adults
§ 375-1000 mg per day (8-30 mg/kg) in divided doses[15]
o Childhood absence epilepsy, 4-16 mg/kg in up to 4 divided doses[16]
§ Do not use extended-release formulas
· Glaucoma
o Open-angle glaucoma
§ 250-1000 mg per day in divided doses[17] [18]
· Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
o Most often occurs in obese women of child-bearing age[19]
o Begin with 500 mg twice per day[20]
o May increase to 2-4 g per day[21]
· Migraines
o Hemiplegic
§ 250 mg, twice per day[22]
o Weather-related[23]
o Menstrual-cycle related[24]
· Normal pressure hydrocephalus
o 125 mg, 1-3 times per day[25]
· Periodic paralysis
o Rare, hereditary condition in which episodes of severe muscle weakness are triggered by fasting, high-carb meals, or heavy exertion[26]
o 250 mg, 1-3 times per day[27]
Due to the
development of better pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects, acetazolamide is
currently the first choice for treating only a few conditions—high altitude
sickness and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. But if you have acetazolamide on hand, a
doctor may use it to treat any of these other conditions that may arise.
Tablets are taken with or without food. Capsules should be taken whole, not split apart or chewed.[28] Drink plenty of water when using acetazolamide.
Side effects include tingling of the fingers and toes and numbness around the mouth which is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as a sign of stroke.[29] [30]
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Increased blood sugar
- Increased sensitivity to the sun
- Increased urination
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Tiredness
More serious side effects:
- Ringing in the ears
- Hearing loss
- Increased body hair
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
Serious side effects to be immediately reported to a health care provider:
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Infections
- Mood changes or difficulty concentrating
- Palpitations or rapid heart beat
- Severe muscle cramping
- Jaundice
Acetazolamide
may cause allergic reactions ranging from mild, like rashes and itching, to
life-threatening, like anaphylaxis.[31]
Contraindications: Individuals with a history of anaphylaxis should not take acetazolamide.[32] People with Stevens-Johnson syndrome from taking a sulfonamide should not take acetazolamide.[33] Anyone with poor kidney function, liver disease, or electrolyte imbalances should avoid acetazolamide.[34] Do not take acetazolamide if taking any of the following medications:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Albuterol
- Amantadine
- Amphetamines
- Anticonvulsants
- Aspirin
- Barbiturates
- Chlorpheniramine (common in OTC cold remedies)
- Cyclosporine
- Diuretics
- Ephedrine
- Lithium
- Metformin and other oral diabetes drugs
- Nifedipine
- Primidone
- Pseudoephedrine
- Simvastatin
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Links to related posts:
Preventing and Treating High Altitude Sickness
[1] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[2] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[3] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[4] Acute altitude illness: Updated prevention and treatment guidelines from the wilderness medical society, American Family Physician, Vol 101 No 8, 15 April 2020, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0415/p505.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[5] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[6] Acetazolamide (oral route), MayoClinic.org, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetazolamide-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20535236 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[7] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[8] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[9] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[10] Acute altitude illness: Updated prevention and treatment guidelines from the wilderness medical society, American Family Physician, Vol 101 No 8, 15 April 2020, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0415/p505.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[11] Acetazolamide (oral route), MayoClinic.org, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetazolamide-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20535236 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[12] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[13] Acetazolamide dosage, Drugs.com, https://www.drugs.com/dosage/acetazolamide.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[14] Acetazolamide (oral route), MayoClinic.org, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetazolamide-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20535236 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[15] Acetazolamide (oral route), MayoClinic.org, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetazolamide-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20535236 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[16] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[17] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[18] Acetazolamide (oral route), MayoClinic.org, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetazolamide-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20535236 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[19] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[20] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[21] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[22] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[23] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[24] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[25] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[26] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[27] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[28] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[29] Scott McIntosh, Acetazolamide for the prevention of high altitude sickness: a comparison of dosing, ClinicalTrials.gov, 29 January 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01993667 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[30] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[31] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
[32] Acute altitude illness: Updated prevention and treatment guidelines from the wilderness medical society, American Family Physician, Vol 101 No 8, 15 April 2020, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0415/p505.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[33] Acute altitude illness: Updated prevention and treatment guidelines from the wilderness medical society, American Family Physician, Vol 101 No 8, 15 April 2020, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0415/p505.html (accessed 9 May 2023).
[34] Richard N. Fogoros, Diamox (acetazolamide): Uses, side effects, and dosages, VeryWellHealth.com, 14 January 2023, https://www.verywellhealth.com/diamox-acetazolamide-4707929 (accessed 9 May 2023).
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