What drug class is Diamox?
Acetazolamide belongs to a class of drugs known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It works by decreasing the production of fluid inside the eye.
Table of Contents
What is the drug Diamox used for?
Diamox is used in people with certain types of glaucoma to reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye. Diamox is also used as a diuretic (“water pill”) in people with congestive heart failure, to reduce the build-up of fluid in the body. This build-up is called edema.

What is the chemical class of acetazolamide?
Acetazolamide belongs to a class of drugs called Anticonvulsants, Other; Antiglaucoma, Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors.
What type of diuretic is acetazolamide?
Acetazolamide is the only carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with significant diuretic effects. It is readily absorbed and undergoes renal elimination by tubular secretion. Its administration is ordinarily marked by a brisk alkaline diuresis.

Is Diamox a strong diuretic?
Diamox acts as a diuretic to treat edema that occurs with conditions such as heart failure. However, it is a weak diuretic and has generally been replaced by more powerful medications like Lasix (furosemide).
Why is acetazolamide a weak diuretic?
Mechanism of action and uses
H+ is retained in plasma, producing a mild acidosis. However, the fall in plasma concentration stimulates carbonic anhydrase activity, which rapidly leads to tolerance to the diuretic action of acetazolamide. The diuretic action of acetazolamide is therefore weak and not clinically useful.
Can you take Diamox long term?
It is not generally recommended for long-term use, so if you need to take it over an extended period of time, your doctor will want you to have some blood tests. You should also let your doctor know if you develop an unusual skin rash while you are on acetazolamide.
What type of inhibitor is acetazolamide?
Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used to treat edema from heart failure or medications, certain types of epilepsy, and glaucoma.
What is the difference between Diamox and Lasix?
Diamox Sequels and Lasix belong to different drug classes. Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and Lasix is an anthranilic acid derivative.
What is the most severe effect of acetazolamide?
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Does Diamox reduce blood pressure?
Once acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase, sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride get excreted rather than reabsorbed; this also leads to the excretion of excess water. The clinical result is a decrease in blood pressure, decreased intracranial pressure, and decreased intraocular pressure.
What is the most severe adverse effect of acetazolamide?
Who should not use acetazolamide?
Acetazolamide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
What happens when you stop Diamox?
Stopping this medicine suddenly may make your epilepsy worse. Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to. Do not give Diamox to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
What can you take instead of Diamox?
You can take Ibuprofen every four to six hours only if needed. Do not take more than 1,000 mg of ibuprofen daily. Take ibuprofen with food or after meals if it seems to bother your stomach. Ibuprofen does get absorbed by the blood stream much faster than Diamox making it a quick acting drug.
What is the classification of diuretics?
Diuretics are drugs that increase the flow of urine. They are commonly used to treat edema, hypertension, and heart failure. Typically, the pharmacological group consists of five classes: thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, osmotic diuretics, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
What is the most powerful diuretic?
Loop diuretics are the most potent diuretics as they increase the elimination of sodium and chloride by primarily preventing the reabsorption of sodium and chloride. The high efficacy of loop diuretics is due to the unique site of action involving the loop of Henle (a portion of the renal tubule) in the kidneys.
What are the long term effects of taking acetazolamide?
Diamox may worsen chronic liver disease. Also, people with severe chronic lung disease may experience more breathing difficulty while taking Diamox. Diamox can make sunburn more likely. People should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while on Diamox, especially if they get sunburned easily.
How long should you be on acetazolamide?
Begin this medicine 24 hours before arriving at high altitude and continue for 48 hours while at high altitude. You may continue taking Diamox up to 48 hours longer if your symptoms indicate the need for additional pills.
How long should Diamox be taken?
Dose. Take one 125 mg tablet twice a day. Begin this medicine 24 hours before arriving at high altitude and continue for 48 hours while at high altitude. You may continue taking Diamox up to 48 hours longer if your symptoms indicate the need for additional pills.
What happens when you stop taking Diamox?
How long can you use Diamox?
What are the three classifications of diuretics?
There are three types of diuretics: Thiazide.
…
Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include:
- Amiloride (Midamor)
- Eplerenone (Inspra)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir)
- Triamterene (Dyrenium)
What are the classification of antihypertensive drugs?
The four major classes of antihypertensive drugs—diuretics, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers)—have significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the adverse effects they cause.
What is the safest diuretic?
Current guidelines recommend the drug chlorthalidone (Thalitone) as the first-line diuretic. But it can have serious side effects that can be avoided with another diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril), researchers say.