When working with acetazolamide, a prescription medication that blocks the enzyme carbonic anhydrase to reduce fluid buildup in the eye and body. Also known as Diamox, it acetazolamide lowers intra‑ocular pressure, raises urine pH, and helps the body get rid of excess bicarbonate. In simple terms, acetazolamide → inhibits → carbonic anhydrase, which → decreases → aqueous humor production and → increases → urinary alkalinization. Doctors prescribe it for short‑term glaucoma control, to prevent acute mountain sickness, and to make certain kidney stones dissolve faster. Typical adult dosing starts at 250 mg once or twice daily, adjusted for kidney function and the specific condition being treated.
One major family it belongs to is Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, drugs that block the enzyme carbonic anhydrase to alter fluid and acid‑base balance. This class also includes drugs like dorzolamide and brinzolamide, which are used mainly for eye pressure control. Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases marked by damage to the optic nerve from high pressure often requires an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor when eye drops alone aren’t enough; acetazolamide steps in to bring pressure down quickly. For people climbing high altitudes, Altitude sickness, the collection of symptoms that appear when the body cannot adapt to reduced oxygen levels can be mitigated because acetazolamide stimulates breathing, improving oxygen uptake. Another scenario is Renal stones, solid mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and cause pain; by alkalinizing urine, acetazolamide helps dissolve certain types of stones, especially those made of uric acid. Across these uses, the drug shares a common thread: it changes the body’s acid‑base environment to achieve therapeutic goals.
Below you’ll find a handy collection of articles that dive deeper into each of these applications. Whether you’re looking for a side‑by‑side drug comparison, a quick dosage chart, or tips on managing side effects, the list offers practical insights you can act on today. Keep reading to see how acetazolamide stacks up against alternatives, what monitoring steps are recommended, and which patients benefit most from its unique mechanism.
Explore how acetazolamide works for postoperative brain swelling, dosing tips, side‑effects, and how it stacks up against mannitol and hypertonic saline.