Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved acetazolamide oral tablet for use in adults to manage and treat:
This article describes possible side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about acetazolamide, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Acetazolamide oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Acetazolamide also comes in other forms that you swallow and an injectable form, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
Note: Acetazolamide has been in use since before the FDA required detailed studies for drug approval. For this reason, it’s unclear whether the side effects below occurred in the drug’s studies. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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More common side effects of acetazolamide
Acetazolamide oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more commonly reported side effects of this medication:
- fatigue
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- numbness or tingling sensation, most often in your fingers, toes, or face
Mild side effects of acetazolamide
Acetazolamide may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet that have been reported include:
- abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
- impaired balance or coordination
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- numbness or tingling sensation, most often in your fingers, toes, or face
- short-term nearsightedness
- changes in taste, such as a bitter or metallic taste
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- mild allergic reaction*†
Acetazolamide oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acetazolamide in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with acetazolamide. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of acetazolamide
Acetazolamide may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from acetazolamide oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Serious side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet that have been reported include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acetazolamide in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with acetazolamide. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of acetazolamide
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of acetazolamide compare with those seen with furosemide?
Acetazolamide and furosemide are both prescribed to treat edema (fluid buildup) in certain situations. These drugs may cause some similar side effects, and a few different ones as well.
Some shared side effects of acetazolamide and furosemide include:
- electrolyte imbalance*
- kidney-related side effects, including kidney damage
- tinnitus
Additional side effects furosemide may cause include pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas) and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when sitting or standing up, which can cause dizziness and fainting).
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how acetazolamide and furosemide compare.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acetazolamide in detail” section below.
Does acetazolamide cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases acetazolamide oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with acetazolamide oral tablet include:
- blood cell problems*
- electrolyte imbalance*
- kidney stones
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of acetazolamide may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acetazolamide in detail” section below.
Side effects of acetazolamide in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet.
Electrolyte imbalance
Electrolyte imbalance is a rare side effect reported in people taking acetazolamide oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Electrolyte imbalances that acetazolamide may cause include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of electrolyte imbalances with acetazolamide oral tablet. These include:
Ways to manage
During your treatment with acetazolamide, your doctor may periodically order blood tests to check your electrolyte levels. They may adjust your acetazolamide dose or pause treatment if these tests show an electrolyte imbalance.
Electrolyte problems often don’t cause symptoms unless they become severe. However, let your doctor know if you notice symptoms such as:
- fatigue
- headache
- heart palpitations
- irritability or confusion
- muscle cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
Should any of these symptoms occur, your doctor may arrange an appointment for a blood test to check your electrolyte levels.
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a rare side effect that has been reported in people taking acetazolamide oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With metabolic acidosis, your blood becomes too acidic. Symptoms may include rapid and shallow breathing, confusion, and increased heart rate.
Certain factors can increase the risk of metabolic acidosis with acetazolamide oral tablet. These include:
Ways to manage
If you think you’re experiencing mild symptoms of metabolic acidosis, call your doctor right away. They can recommend the best next steps. They’ll likely want to see you soon to evaluate symptoms and possibly stop acetazolamide treatment.
But if your symptoms feel serious or life threatening, don’t call your doctor. Seek immediate medical help by calling 911 or going to the closest emergency room.
Blood cell problems
Blood cell problems are a rare but possible side effect reported in people taking acetazolamide oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Blood cell problems reported with acetazolamide include:
Symptoms will vary depending on the specific blood cell problem. It’s possible to experience more than one blood cell problem caused by acetazolamide at the same time.
Ways to manage
Your doctor will likely order blood tests before and periodically during treatment with acetazolamide. They’ll use these tests to monitor the health of your blood cells. They may adjust your acetazolamide dose or pause treatment if these test results indicate acetazolamide may be causing a blood cell problem.
For some people, acetazolamide oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to acetazolamide oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for acetazolamide
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking acetazolamide oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take acetazolamide oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether acetazolamide oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking acetazolamide oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Acetazolamide and pregnancy
It’s not known whether acetazolamide oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Acetazolamide and breastfeeding
Acetazolamide oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding, unless you and your doctor agree the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with acetazolamide oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of acetazolamide oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do side effects of acetazolamide compare with those of other medications that can treat my condition?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dosage of acetazolamide oral tablet I take?
- Does my risk of blood cell problems depend on the length of my acetazolamide treatment?
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.
