A rare but serious side effect is aplastic anemia. This is when the bone marrow fails to produce an adequete number of red and white blood cells. It occurs in one in 15,000 patient years on Diamox. That means for every 15,000 patients on Diamox for one year, one will develop this potentially fatal side effect.
What is the mechanism of action of acetazolamide?
Mechanism of Action Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. That means this drug works to cause an accumulation of carbonic acid by preventing its breakdown. The result is lower blood pH (i.e., more acidic), given the increased carbonic acid, which has a reversible reaction into bicarbonate and a hydrogen ion.
What does acetazolamide do to your body?
Acetazolamide Oral Tablets. Acetazolamide is a diuretic medication that treats swelling caused by heart disease. It works by helping your body make more pee so you can lose salt and excess water from your body. It can also treat seizures, certain types of glaucoma and prevent symptoms of altitude sickness.
How acetazolamide causes hypokalemia?
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, decrease proximal tubular reabsorption of HCO3‚àí in the kidneys by noncompetitive inhibition of luminal and cellular carbonic anhydrase. Hypokalemia is caused by increased sodium delivery to the distal nephron and its reabsorption there in exchange for potassium.
Can acetazolamide cause anemia Related Questions
What is the most adverse effect of acetazolamide?
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or increased urination may occur, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Blurred vision, dry mouth, drowsiness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in taste may also occur.
Can acetazolamide cause breathlessness?
Taking this medicine together with aspirin may cause change or loss of consciousness, loss of appetite, rapid shallow breathing, trouble breathing, or weight loss. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
Why is acetazolamide a weak diuretic?
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are weak diuretics. They decrease the secretion of hydrogen ions by the proximal renal tubule, with increased loss of bicarbonate and hence of sodium.
What is the action of acetazolamide in brain?
Acetazolamide increases cerebral blood flow / (CBF) by 5-80%. ‘”‘ After i.v. injection in A. . humans, CBF begins to increase within 15 minutes, reaches a maximum in about 25 minutes, and then gradually declines with a half-time of about 95 minutes.
What can you not take with acetazolamide?
Amphetamine. Arsenic Trioxide. Aspirin. Benzphetamine. Carbamazepine. Dextroamphetamine. Digitalis. Droperidol.
Is acetazolamide hard on kidneys?
Kidney stones. Taking acetazolamide and sodium bicarbonate together may increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
How long should you be on acetazolamide?
For edema caused by other medicines: Adults—250 to 375 milligrams (mg) once a day for one or 2 days, with a rest day in between. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Can you take acetazolamide long term?
It is not generally recommended for long-term use, so if you need to take it over an extended period of time, your doctor will want you to have some blood tests. You should also let your doctor know if you develop an unusual skin rash while you are on acetazolamide.
Do you need potassium with acetazolamide?
Patients on long-term acetazolamide therapy rarely need supplemental potassium. Where advisable, it is best provided by a diet high in potassium-rich foods, as enteric-coated preparations may cause small-bowel ulceration.
Should I take potassium with acetazolamide?
The “starter pak” is Diamox (acetazolamide) plus a potassium supplement. While Diamox reduces (or stops) the number of attacks, it also causes you to excrete potassium in your urine, so you need to take some potassium to make up for what you lose.
What does acetazolamide do in heart failure?
Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that blocks proximal tubular absorption of sodium. Acetazolamide was first used in humans as a new diuretic with potential to treat congestive heart failure [3] after it was found to be more potent and safer than sulfanilamide diuretic.
Who should avoid Diamox?
Contraindications. You should NOT take Diamox if you are allergic to acetazolamide or other sulfa drugs. Do not take Diamox if you have kidney disease, liver disease or severe lung disease (COPD, CHF,Asthma, etc.).
What is the special precautions of acetazolamide?
Before taking acetazolamide, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease; or diabetes. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking acetazolamide, call your doctor immediately.
Why does Diamox make you tired?
Abstract. Previous studies have demonstrated that carbonic anhydrase inhibition with acetazolamide reduces exercise capacity. The mechanism responsible for this early fatigue is unclear, but may be partly mediated by impaired respiratory muscle function.
Can I drink caffeine with acetazolamide?
This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. It is recommended to drink plenty of water while using this medication.
How much water should I drink on Diamox?
This may be caused not only by the intake of Diamox but also by increased consumption of water due to physical activity. We remind you that increased consumption of water during mountain trekking is recommended: you should drink not less than 4 liters of water per day.