What is the most important information I should know about Diamox?
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience a sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, tingling or tremors in your hands or feet, pain in your side or groin, or a rash. These symptoms could be early signs of a serious side effect.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diamox may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Diamox may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What is Diamox?
- Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Carbonic anhydrase is a protein in your body. Diamox reduces the activity of this protein.
- Diamox is used to treat glaucoma and to treat and to prevent acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness). It is also used as a part of some treatment plans for congestive heart failure and seizure disorders.
- Diamox may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take Diamox?
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole (e.g., Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol). Diamox is also a sulfa-based drug, and you may have a similar reaction to it.
- Before taking Diamox, tell your doctor if you
- are on aspirin therapy,
- have liver disease,
- have kidney disease,
- have heart disease,
- have lung disease, or
- have a hormonal disease.
- You may not be able to take Diamox, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Diamox is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Diamox will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Diamox without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Diamox passes into breast milk. It is not known whether Diamox will affect a nursing infant. Do not take Diamox without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Diamox?
- Take Diamox exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Take Diamox with food if it upsets your stomach.
- Store Diamox at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of an Diamox overdose are not well known, but the following symptoms might be expected: drowsiness, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness or tingling, shaking, and ringing in the ears.
What should I avoid while taking Diamox?
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diamox may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Diamox may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What are the possible side effects of Diamox?
- If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Diamox and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- a sore throat or a fever;
- unusual bleeding or bruising;
- side or groin pain;
- tingling or tremors in your hands or feet; or
- a rash.
- Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Diamox and talk to your doctor if you experience
- decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or changes in taste;
- drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, or weakness;
- nervousness or mild tremor;
- headache or confusion;
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight;
- worsening gout;
- loss of blood sugar control (if you are diabetic);
- ringing in your ears or hearing problems; or
- changes in your vision.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Diamox?
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Cyclosporine may have more side effects if it is taken with Diamox.
- primidone (Mysoline). Primidone may not be as effective if it is taken with Diamox, and seizure control may be reduced.
- diflunisal (Dolobid). Diflunisal may increase both the activity and the side effects of Diamox.
- aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid, Salflex, Salsitab, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, Magan, Mobidin), and other aspirin-like products (salicylates). These medicines may also interact with Diamox, and special monitoring of your therapy may be necessary.
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others). Diamox may decrease the level of lithium in your blood. Special monitoring or a dosage adjustment may be necessary.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Diamox. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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