Acetazolamide
Miotic, Antiglaucoma Preps · Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Indications
Congestive heart failure, oedema and toxaemia of pregnancy, pre-menstrual tension. Epilepsy. Glaucoma.
Dosage
ORAL: Adults: Initially 250-375 mg once daily in the morning or on alternate days. Pre-menstrual tension: Adults: 125-375 mg as a single daily dose beginning 5-10 days; before menstruation; See literature. Epilepsy: Adults: 250 mg-1 gm daily in divided doses. Children: Under 2 yr, 125 mg daily; 2-12 yr, 125-750 mg daily in divided doses (SR caps not recommended for treatment of epilepsy). Glaucoma: Adults: 250 mg 1-4 times/day or 500 mg SR cap twice daily in chronic simple/open-angle glaucoma. Children: 8-30 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hr. COPD: Adults: 250 mg twice daily. INJECTION: Glaucoma: Adults: Inj IV: 250-500 mg, may repeat in 2-4 hr to a max of 1 gm/day in secondary, acute/closed-angle glaucoma. Children: Inj IV: 20-40 mg/kg/24 hr divided every 6 hr, not to exceed 1 gm/day. Oedema: Adults & Children: Inj IV: 250-375 mg once daily. COPD: Adults: Inj IV: 250 mg twice daily.
Administration
Reconstitute the vial with at least 5 mL of SWFI to yield a solution containing not more than 100 mg/mL. Administration by direct IV injection. Compatibility: Dextrose 5%, 2.5%, dextrose saline, NaCl 0.9 %, 0.45%. Stability: The reconstituted solution is stable for 3 days if refrigerated or for 12 hours at room temperature.
Adverse Effects
Flushing, thirst, headache, drowsiness, polyuria, paraesthesia, blood dyscrasias, excitement, rash, metabolic acidosis. Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (discontinue).
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Chronic closed angle glaucoma. Renal hyperchloraemic acidosis. Adrenal insufficiency. Sodium or potassium depletion. Liver impairment, hypersensitivity to sulfonamides. Precautions: Gout. Diabetes. Potassium supplements may be required. Monitor fluid, electrolytes and blood. Pulmonary obstruction, emphysema, rashes.
Interactions
Folic acid antagonists, hypoglycaemics, oral anticoagulants.
Advice to Patient
Take with meals. Do not chew or crush long-acting capsules. Contact prescriber if there is constant numbness, tiredness, muscle weakness, burning or tingling of extremities around lips, mouth or anus, dark-coloured stool, severe depression. Check blood glucose level regularly. Avoid direct sunlight. Use sunscreen, wear proper clothing and eyewear to prevent photosensitivity.
Pharmacokinetics
Onset: Tab: 1-1.5 hrs. Cap: 2 hrs. Duration: Tab: 8-12 hrs. Cap: 18-24 hrs. Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the GI tract. Metabolism: Not metabolized. Half-life elimination: Tab: 2-4 hrs. Time to peak, serum: Tab: 2-4 hrs. Cap: 8-12 hrs. Excretion: Urine (90%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.