Diamox

Common use

Diamox (Acetazolamide) helps to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. This medication decreases headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath that are likely to occur when you climb quickly to high altitudes (generally above 10,000 feet/3,048 meters).
This drug may be also used with other medications to treat a certain type of eye problem (open-angle glaucoma) or to treat certain types of seizures (petit mal and unlocalized seizures).

Dosage and direction

Take the drug only as prescribed because dosage and schedule may vary on your condition and other factors.
It is advised to start taking Diamox 1 to 2 days before you start to climb. Also continue taking it while you are climbing.

Precautions

Before you start taking Diamox, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Aged people may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug.

Contraindications

Diamox is contraindicated in patients who have serious kidney, liver or eye problems.
This medicine should not be taken by pregnant women and children as well as in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the tablet.
Diamox is not recommended while breast-feeding.

Possible side effect

The most common side effects are: dizziness, lightheadedness, an increased amount of urine, blurred vision, dry mouth, drowsiness, headache.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is very rare, but seek immediate medical help if it occurs.

Drug interaction

Diamox may interact with: cyclosporine (Sandimmune); primidone (Mysoline); diflunisal (Dolobid); aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid, Salflex, Salsitab, others) and other aspirin-like products; lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Missed dose

If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you see that it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take the dose twice.

Overdose

If you think you have used too much of this medicine seek emergency medical attention right away. The symptoms of overdose usually include chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and feeling light-headed or fainting.

Storage

Store Diamox at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the medicine in the bathroom. Keep medicine away from reach of children and pets.