Acetazolamide
Acute angle-closure: 500 mg IV or orally, then 250 mg four times daily. Avoid in sulfonamide allergy and severe kidney disease.
Common brands in Pakistan: Diamox. Brand availability changes; check with your pharmacy.
On this page
Dose
| Indication | Dose |
|---|---|
| Acute angle-closure glaucoma | 500 mg IV or orally, then 250 mg 4 times daily |
| Prevention of altitude sickness | 125 mg twice daily, starting a day before ascent |
| Idiopathic intracranial hypertension | 250–500 mg twice daily, increasing (specialist) |
Cautions
- Tingling, frequent urination, low potassium, metabolic acidosis.
- Avoid in sulfonamide allergy, severe kidney or liver disease.
Frequently asked questions
Does acetazolamide help altitude sickness on trips to the northern areas?
It prevents and treats acute mountain sickness; descent is still the main treatment for severe illness.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.
For FCPS Part 1
Revising for FCPS Part 1? Acetazolamide is covered in our textbook chapter Antihypertensives and diuretics, with practice MCQs.