Acetazolamide

What is acetazolamide?

Acetazolamide is a medicine used to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is increased pressure in the​ eye. Acetazolamide reduces this pressure. This medicine may also be used to treat seizures. It reduces the number of seizures. You may hear acetazolamide called by its brand name, Diamox.

How should I give my child acetazolamide?

• Avoid missing doses by giving your child the medicine at the same times every day. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving your child this medicine for any reason. Make sure you have enough medicine on hand to last through weekends, holidays, or vacations.
• With food to reduce the chance of an upset stomach
• With the special spoon or syringe the pharmacist gave you, if your child is taking the liquid form of acetazolamide
• If the dose is more than once a day, give the last dose early in the evening so your child can avoid having to urinate (go to the bathroom) during the night. Acetazolamide can increase the number of times your child will have to urinate. This effect should lessen with time.

What should I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• ​If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and give your child the next dose at the regular time.
• Give your child only one dose at a time.

What are the possible side effects of acetazolamide?

Call your doctor if your child continues to have any of these signs, or symptoms:

• Upset stomach, throwing up
• Headache
• Increased need to urinate
• Loss of appetite
• Taste of metal in the mouth
• Loss of weight
• Watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
• Nervousness, irritability
• Trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
• Feelings of numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands, fingers, feet, toes, mouth, lips, tongue, or anus (bum)

Call your doctor immediately if your child has:

• Any unusual or allergic reactions
• Dark urine
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Confusion
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Blood in the urine or stool
• ​More severe seizures (if your child is taking acetazolamide for a seizure disorder)

What other important information should I know about acetazolamide?

• This medicine may cause your child's body to lose potassium. This may make your child feel dizzy, light-headed, confused, or more tired than usual. Your child may also have a dry mouth, muscle cramps, or an upset stomach. They may be throwing up or be more thirsty than usual. To prevent these problems, the doctor may want your child to eat or drink foods that contain potassium, such as bananas or orange juice.
• Acetazolamide may make your child's skin more likely to sunburn. Your child must cover up with clothing and a hat or use a strong sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen that protects against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 15. Ask your pharmacist to help you pick the right sunscreen.
• Tell your child's doctor if your child has any of these medical problems:
• liver or kidney disease
• diabetes
• allergies to medicines, especially sulfas or water pills (diuretics)
• Store the liquid form of acetazolamide at room temperature. Shake the bottle well before you use it. Throw away any acetazolamide that is outdated.
  

Keep acetazolamide out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much acetazolamide, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.