What is methazolamide?
Methazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Carbonic anhydrase is a protein in the body. Methazolamide reduces the activity of this protein.
Methazolamide is used to treat glaucoma. By inhibiting the actions of carbonic anhydrase, methazolamide reduces the amount of fluid produced in the eyes and therefore also reduces pressure.
Methazolamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about methazolamide?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, tingling or tremors in the hands or feet, pain in the side or groin, or a rash. These symptoms could be early signs of a serious side effect.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Methazolamide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Methazolamide may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methazolamide?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole (e.g., Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol). Methazolamide is also a sulfa-based drug, and you may have a similar reaction to it.
Before taking methazolamide, tell your doctor if you
are on aspirin therapy,
have liver disease,
have kidney disease,
have heart disease,
have lung disease, or
have a hormonal disease.
You may not be able to take methazolamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Methazolamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether methazolamide will be harm an unborn baby. Do not take methazolamide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether methazolamide passes into breast . Do not take methazolamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.