Diamox

Do NOT use Diamox if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Diamox
• you have adrenal gland problems, low blood levels of potassium or sodium, kidney problems, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), high blood levels of chloride, or other electrolyte problems.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Diamox. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney stones, a lung disease, glaucoma (eg, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma), diabetes, or difficulty breathing
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide.

Some medicines may interact with Diamox. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may increase the risk of Diamox's side effects
• Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, methazolamide), cyclosporine, quinidine, phenytoin, amphetamine, or sodium bicarbonate because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Diamox
• Primidone, salicylates (eg, aspirin), lithium, or methenamine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Diamox.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Diamox may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Diamox may cause drowsiness or temporary vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Diamox with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Diamox may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Diamox. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Diamox before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Diamox may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Diamox may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Diamox.
• Lab tests, including blood electrolyte levels, complete blood cell count, or platelet levels, may be performed while you use Diamox. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Diamox with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Diamox should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Diamox while you are pregnant. Diamox is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Diamox.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; changes in taste; constipation; diarrhea; drowsiness; frequent urination; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; changes in hearing; convulsions; dark, bloody stools; dark urine; fast breathing; fever; lack of energy; lower back pain; red, swollen, or blistered skin; ringing in the ears; sore throat; tingling of the arms or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.