Diacarb

Drug name: Diacarb

Other names used:

• Acetamox®
• Anicar®
• Dehydratin®
• Diamox®
• Dilamox®
• Diluran®
• Diuramid®
• Ederen®
• Eumicton®
• Fonurit®
• Glaucomide®
• Glauconox®
• Glaupax®
• Lediamox®
• Natrionex®
• Nephramid®
• Renamid®
• Sulfadiurine®

Active Ingredients: Acetazolamide

Therapeutic actions: Acetazolamide belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Carbonic anhydrase is a chemical in the body that is responsible for the production and breakdown of carbonic acid. Part of this reaction results in the production of bicarbonate. Acetazolamide acts to inhibit the action of carbonic anhydrase and thereby decrease the production of bicarbonate. It reduces fluid pressure in the eyeball by decreasing fluid formation in the eyeball. It also increases the removal of water from the body by the kidney. It also may block certain nerve discharges that may contribute to seizures.

Indications:

• Epilepsy
• Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to heart failure
• Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to other medicines
• Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to the pre-menstrual syndrome
• Glaucoma caused by another disease of the eye (secondary glaucoma)
• Open angle glaucoma
• Prior to surgery for suddenly severe closed angle glaucoma

Contraindications and cautions:
Warning!

• This medicine may cause skin rashes and you should consult your doctor if you develop a rash, skin peeling, itching, or other unexplained skin reaction while taking this medicine.
• Individuals taking this medicine are advised to monitor blood cell counts regularly.

You should not use this medication if you have:

• Allergy to medicines from the sulphonamide group, eg the antibiotic sulphamethoxazole
• Chronic non-congestive glaucoma
• Failure of the adrenal glands
• High levels of chloride in the blood, resulting in high acid levels in the blood (hyperchloraemic acidosis)
• Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)
• Low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia)
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe liver disease
• This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medicine may pass into breast milk in small amounts. It should only be used during breastfeeding if the benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

You should talk with your healthcare provider if you have some of these conditioms:

• Blockage of the airways (pulmonary obstruction)
• Decreased liver function
• Elderly people
• Emphysema
• History of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)
• Potential blockage of the urinary tract
• Unstable balance of salts in the body

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• 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
• a rash.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take acetazolamide 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.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Cyclosporine may have more side effects if it is taken with acetazolamide.
• primidone (Mysoline). Primidone may not be as effective if it is taken with acetazolamide, and seizure control may be reduced.
• diflunisal (Dolobid). Diflunisal may increase both the activity and the side effects of acetazolamide.
• 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 acetazolamide, and special monitoring of your therapy may be necessary.
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others). Acetazolamide may decrease the level of lithium in your blood. Special monitoring or a dosage adjustment may be necessary.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.