Diamox
Acetazolamide
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Diamox
Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor medicine. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme protein that is responsible for the formation of bicarbonate in our body. Diamox inhibit the activity of this enzyme and reduce the formation of bicarbonate in our body.
Therapeutic Uses of Diamox
Diamox is used in the treatment of acute glaucoma and acute mountain sickness or high altitude sickness (due to low oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure in the high altitudes).It is also used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and seizures.
Direction of use of Diamox
Take Diamox as per direction of your doctor and consult your doctor or other health care provider if you have any question about the use of Diamox.
Diamox is taken by mouth with a glass of water. It can be taken with food if you get stomach upset due to taking of Diamox in empty stomach.
Dose of Diamox, if Missed
If you miss a dose of Diamox, you should take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose than skip the dose you have missed and continue with the regular dosing schedule. You should never take 2 doses of Diamox at a time.
How to Store Diamox
Diamox should be ideally stored at 77 degree F or 25 dwgree Centigrade. Store it in a dry place away from heat, moisture, light and out of reach of children.
More Information About Diamox
Never share Diamox eith anybody because it should be taken by the person to whom it is prescribed. If you have any question about the use, side effect and benefits of Diamox, consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Diamox
Do not take Diamox if you have any of the following medical conditions and consult your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Diamox.
- If you are suffering from problems of adrenal gland, kidney problems, liver problems like cirrhosis of liver, electrolyte disturbance, hypokalemia (low level of potassium in the body or blood), hyponatremia (low level of sodium in body or blood) etc.
Important notes to remember:
- Diamox can cause drowsiness or mild sedation or temporary change in vision. All these effects are made worse by alcohol and certain medications, so Diamox should be used cautiously. So, you should not drive or do risky jobs that need constant attention and monitoring until you know that you do not get drowsiness or sedation with Diamox.
- Do not use Diamox if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant during use of Diamox, you should discuss the risks and benefits of it during pregnancy with your doctor. Diamox is found in breast milk and you should not breast feed if you are taking Diamox.
- The effectiveness and safety of Diamox is not known in children so you should not use it in children below 12 years of age or if you use it than do it with extreme caution.
- You should inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Diamox, before you go for medical, dental or emergency treatment or surgery.
- Diamox can interfere with results of some lab tests and you should tell your doctor or other health care provider that you are taking Diamox before you do lab tests.
- Treatment with Diamox can be monitored by some lab tests like blood electrolytes, blood cell counts, platelet level etc. The same tests can be used to check the development of side effects also.
- Diamox can affect the blood sugar level in diabetic patients. Blood sugar level should be monitored closely during treatment with Diamox and anti diabetic treatment changed or dose adjusted as per the requirement.
- You may get sunburn easily if you are using Diamox, so during treatment with Diamox try to avoid sun, sunlamps or tanning booths until you are sure that it does not cause sunburn in you. Use sunscreen or protective clothing before going out to sun.
Possible Adverse Effects
- Some common side effects of Diamox that may become bothersome and you should consult your doctor for remedy if you get common side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and change in taste, blurring of vision, frequent urination, drowsiness etc.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have serious side effects with Diamox like severe allergy (rash, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, swelling of lips, face etc.), dark color urine, blood in urine, fever, high pulse rate, generalized weakness, low back ache, running nose, sore throat, redness and swelling in skin, blister in skin, unusual bleeding, yellowness of skin and eyes, severe headache, convulsion, change in hearing.