Medicine

Acetazolamide

एसिटाज़ोलामाइड

Medically reviewed by Dr Rishikanth Shukla · 2026-08-04

What it is

Acetazolamide is a medicine used to treat various conditions. It requires a prescription in India.

What it is used for

Acetazolamide is used to treat conditions like chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and edema due to congestive heart failure. It also helps in managing symptoms of altitude sickness and certain types of seizures.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma
Pre-operative treatment of acute angle-closure glaucoma
Edema due to congestive heart failure
Drug-induced edema
Centrencephalic epilepsies (petit mal, unlocalized seizures)
Prevention or amelioration of symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness

How it works

Acetazolamide works by decreasing the pressure in the eye, reducing the severity and duration of altitude sickness symptoms, and controlling seizures in certain types of epilepsy. It does this by reducing the amount of fluid in the body and altering the balance of electrolytes.

How it is sold in India

In India Acetazolamide comes as tablets and capsules.

Common side effects

Most people have no side effects or only mild ones. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, taste disturbance, loss of appetite, and dizziness. Serious reactions are rare but can include blood disorders and severe skin reactions.

See a doctor straight away if

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or anaphylaxis. If you take it with high-dose aspirin, it can lead to serious complications like metabolic acidosis, coma, and death. Stop use and consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

Who should not take it

Do not take it if you are allergic to sulfonamides. Do not take it if you have chronic angle-closure glaucoma. Do not take it if you have hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, or hyperchloraemic acidosis. Do not take it if you have renal impairment. Do not take it if you have severe hepatic impairment. Do not take it if you have renal hyperchloremic acidosis or Addison’s disease. Consult a doctor before taking it if you are elderly, breastfeeding, have diabetes mellitus, pulmonary obstruction, or severe respiratory acidosis. Monitor your blood count and electrolytes if you use it for long periods. Avoid interactions with amphetamines, aspirin, cyclosporine, medications for depression or irregular heartbeat, diflunisal, digoxin, diuretics, lithium, phenobarbital, primidone, and vitamins.

Questions people ask

Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Consult a doctor before taking it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Can I take it with my other medicines?

Consult a doctor before taking it with other medicines to avoid interactions.

Is it safe if I have liver or kidney trouble?

Consult a doctor before taking it if you have liver or kidney trouble.

What happens if I take too much?

Seek immediate medical attention if you take too much.

Does it make you sleepy?

It may cause drowsiness, so avoid tasks requiring alertness.

Brand names

31 medicines sold in India contain Acetazolamide.

Brands sold in India include Diamox, Avva, ACTAMIDE, Acetazide, Acimday, Iopar, Acetazone, Acetaent. Whichever name is on the strip, the medicine inside is the one described on this page.

Where this comes from

We do not publish doses. How much to take depends on your age, weight and other conditions — ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for seeing a doctor. It carries no dosage and no prices.