This article describes possible interactions with acetazolamide oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Acetazolamide comes as tablets and capsules that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as a solution that’s injected into your vein.
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Other drugs and acetazolamide
The drugs in the list below may interact with acetazolamide oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with acetazolamide.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with acetazolamide oral tablet include:
- certain anti-arrhythmic drugs:
- drug examples: mexiletine, sotalol (Betapace, others)
- what might happen: can make the anti-arrhythmic less effective or increase the risk of its side effects
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors other than acetazolamide:
- drug examples: methazolamide, zonisamide (Zonegran)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from acetazolamide and the other carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
- stimulant drugs that contain amphetamine or amphetamine salts:
- drug examples: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts (Adderall), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- what might happen: may alter how the stimulant works and increase the risk of its side effects
- high dose (greater than 81 milligrams per day) aspirin:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of acetazolamide
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of cyclosporine
- lithium (Lithobid):
- what might happen: can make lithium less effective
- methenamine (Hiprex, Urex):
- what might happen: can make methenamine less effective
- phenytoin (Dilantin):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of phenytoin
- primidone (Mysoline):
- what might happen: can make primidone less effective
- quinidine:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of quinidine
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When to avoid acetazolamide
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with acetazolamide oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe acetazolamide in these cases. These warnings related to health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for acetazolamide oral tablet:
- Certain electrolyte problems: If you have a low level of sodium or potassium in your system, taking acetazolamide oral tablet may worsen your condition.
- Hyperchloremic acidosis: Doctors typically won’t prescribe acetazolamide to people with hyperchloremic acidosis, which is a type of metabolic acidosis. This is because acetazolamide can worsen acidosis that’s already happening.
- Severe kidney or liver condition: If you have a severe kidney or liver condition, you may have a higher risk for side effects with acetazolamide oral tablet.
- Chronic angle-closure glaucoma: Taking acetazolamide if you have chronic (long-term) angle-closure glaucoma could worsen your condition. Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe acetazolamide in this situation.
- Past allergic reaction to acetazolamide or sulfonamides (sulfa) medications: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to acetazolamide oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction. Acetazolamide is similar to sulfonamides (“sulfa”) medications. So, taking it could cause an allergic reaction if you have a sulfa allergy.
Before you start taking acetazolamide, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should use acetazolamide.
Alcohol and acetazolamide
There aren’t any known acetazolamide interactions with alcohol. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Other interactions and acetazolamide
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether acetazolamide oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide and supplements
Before taking acetazolamide oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Acetazolamide may interact with sodium bicarbonate when it’s used as a supplement. An example is when sodium bicarbonate is used to aid in sports performance. Taking acetazolamide and using sodium bicarbonate as a supplement can increase the risk of kidney stones.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Acetazolamide interactions with herbs
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Acetazolamide interactions with vitamins
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Acetazolamide and food
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking acetazolamide oral tablet. They can tell you more about the latest information on acetazolamide and food interactions.
Note: Although acetazolamide can interact with sodium bicarbonate found in supplements, sodium bicarbonate that’s used for cooking and in foods isn’t expected to interact with acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide and vaccines
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while using acetazolamide oral tablet.
Acetazolamide and lab tests
Acetazolamide oral tablet can interact with certain lab tests used to determine the amount of the medication theophylline in your system.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Acetazolamide and cannabis or CBD
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with acetazolamide.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and acetazolamide
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with acetazolamide oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking acetazolamide, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether acetazolamide is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with acetazolamide oral tablet:
* Doctors typically do not prescribe acetazolamide if you have this condition. See the “When to avoid” section to learn more.
Preventing acetazolamide interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with acetazolamide oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Taking acetazolamide exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about acetazolamide and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of acetazolamide?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Do I need to take my medications at different times throughout the day to avoid interactions?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
