Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed . Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects without increasing the effectiveness of this medicine.

This medicine may be taken with meals to lessen the chance of stomach upset. However, if stomach upset (nausea or vomiting) continues, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause an increase in the amount of urine or in your frequency of urination. If you continue to take the medicine every day, these effects should lessen or stop. To keep the increase in urine from affecting your nighttime sleep:

• If you are to take a single dose a day, take it in the morning after breakfast.
• If you are to take more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

However, it is best to plan your dose or doses according to a schedule that will least affect your personal activities and sleep. Ask your health care professional to help you plan the best time to take this medicine.

Dosing - The doses of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor .

For acetazolamide
• For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
  • For glaucoma:
    • Adults - 500 milligrams (mg) two times a day, in the morning and evening.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For altitude sickness:
    • Adults - 500 mg one or two times a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For glaucoma:
    • Adults - 250 mg one to four times a day.
    • Children - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 10 to 15 mg per kilogram (kg) (4.5 to 6.8 mg per pound) of body weight a day in divided doses.
  • For epilepsy:
    • Adults and children - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight a day in divided doses.
  • For altitude sickness:
    • Adults - 250 mg two to four times a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For glaucoma:
    • Adults - 500 mg, injected into a muscle or vein, for one dose.
    • Children - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 5 to 10 mg per kg (2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours, injected into a muscle or vein.

For dichlorphenamide
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For glaucoma:
    • Adults - 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) one to three times a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For methazolamide
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For glaucoma:
    • Adults - 50 to 100 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.