Diamox 250mg (Acetazolamide)

Diamox general information

What is Diamox used for?

Diamox tablets 250mg are used to treat a variety of conditions. These include conditions where there is a need to control fluid secretion, such as in some types of glaucoma; certain convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy and to help promote diuresis (removal of excess fluid by the kidneys) in conditions where there is abnormal fluid retention (oedema), such as congestive heart failure or in situations of drug-induced oedema. Diamox tablets 250mg is effective in treating these various conditions, working through the same mechanism to relieve associated symptoms.

How does Diamox work?

Diamox tablets 250mg contain acetazolamide, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase that is found in several tissues in the body and catalyzes the rapid conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate ions, to maintain acid-base balance in blood and other tissues, and to help transport carbon dioxide out of tissues. In the eye, the formation of aqueous humour or eye fluid, is dependent on carbonic anhydrase to filter fluid out of the capillaries (small blood vessels) into the eye. acetazolamide in Diamox tablets 250mg Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the eye and this interferes with the formation of bicarbonate ions and ultimately with the filtration process, which decreases secretion of aqueous humour into the eye. The result is a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) which relieves pressure on the optic nerve and helps prevent loss of sight due to increased IOP associated with glaucoma. In the central nervous system, acetazolamide in Diamox tablets 250mg inhibits carbonic anhydrase in nerve cells or neurons, which can help control abnormal, paroxysmal (short frequent), excessive discharge (transmission of signal between nerve cells) from neurons that can cause convulsion such as in epilepsy. Acetazolamide in Diamox tablets 250mg also has a diuretic effect, which is due to its inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubules of the kidney. This action decreases concentration of hydrogen ion in the renal tubules, and increases excretion of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and water, helping to remove excess water from tissues that can happen as a result of certain conditions like congestive heart failure.

What does Diamox contain?

Diamox tablets 250mg contain acetazolamide, a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, used to treat a variety of conditions, such as glaucoma, epilepsy and congestive heart failure. They also contain dicalcium phosphate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, povidone.

Treating glaucoma with Diamox

Diamox tablets 250mg contain acetazolamide, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase that is found in several tissues in the body and catalyzes the rapid conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate ions, to maintain acid-base balance in blood and other tissues, and to help transport carbon dioxide out of tissues. In the eye, the formation of aqueous humour, or eye fluid, is dependent on carbonic anhydrase to filter fluid out of the capillaries (small blood vessels) into the eye. acetazolamide in Diamox tablets 250mg Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the eye and this interferes with the formation of bicarbonate ions and ultimately with the filtration process, which decreases secretion of aqueous humour into the eye. The result is a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) which relieves pressure on the optic nerve and helps prevent loss of sight due to increased IOP associated with glaucoma.

Diamox for oedema (fluid retention)

Diamox tablets 250mg contain acetazolamide, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase that is found in several tissues in the body and catalyzes the rapid conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate ions, to maintain acid-base balance in blood and other tissues, and to help transport carbon dioxide out of tissues. Oedema or fluid retention can be caused by some medications or as a result of conditions such congestive heart failure, which is when the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump efficiently. This causes blood to accumulate in the capillaries or small blood vessels, which become leaky and fluid passes into the tissues where it accumulates, causing swelling and puffiness. Acetazolamide in Diamox tablets 250mg inhibitis carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubules of the kidney, which increases excretion of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and water and this diuretic effect helps remove excess water from tissues, relieving symptoms of oedema in certain conditions like congestive heart failure.

What are the side effects of Diamox?

The most commonly side effects reported when using Diamox tablets 250mg include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, some loss of appetite, thirst, paraesthesia (tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes and face), polyuria, (need to pass urine more often than normal), flushing, irritability.

When should Diamox not be used?

You should not use Diamox tablets 250mg if you:

• are allergic to acetazolamide, sulphonamide or sulphonamide derivatives, or any ingredients in Diamox
• have liver or kidney disease
• have diabetes without discussion with your doctor, as acetazolamide may affect your glucose levels and you may need adjustments of your medication
• have low blood sodium or potassium levels
• have chronic non congestive angle closure glaucoma,
• have Addison’s disease resulting in reduced function of the adrenal glands
• are receiving sodium bicarbonate therapy
• are taking medications that interact with Diamox, including: other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, aspirin or other salicylates, amphetamine stimulants, lithium for mood disorders, quinidine for irregular heart beat, the anti-infective methenamine, antiepileptics like phenytoin, the immunosuppressive cyclosporine, anticoagulants like warfarin, folic acid antagonists like methotrexate, pyrimethamine, or trimethoprim, digoxin for heart conditions, the anticonvulsant, primidone, the antiarrhythmic quinidine

What medications interact with Diamox?

Several medications interact with Diamox and should either not be taken while you are taking Diamox or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Diamox: aspirin or other salicylates
• Drugs that affect Diamox: aspirin or other salicylates
• Drugs that are affected Diamox: amphetamine stimulants, folic acid antagonists like methotrexate, pyrimethamine, or trimethoprim, the immunosuppressive cyclosporine, diabetic medications, lithium for mood disorders, the anti-infective methenamine, antiepileptics like phenytoin, the anticonvulsant, primidone, the antiarrhythmic quinidine, digoxin for heart conditions

How should Diamox be taken?

You should take your Diamox tablets 250mg with a glass of water with or without food. The dose you take depends on what you are being treated for and your condition, which may be once daily in the morning for fluid retention, once daily or in divided doses for glaucoma. You should take your Diamox tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for 1 to 2 days for fluid retention or longer for other conditions.

How long should you take Diamox?

You should take your Diamox tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for 1 to 2 days for fluid retention or longer for other conditions.

Missed dose of Diamox

If you miss a dose of Diamox tablets 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Diamox be stored?

You should keep your Diamox tablets 250mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.