Diamox consists of a chemical called Acetazolamide, and is prescribed to patients suffering from high pressure in the eyes, and some times also used for patients having the problem of seizure and epilepsy. This drug comes in the category of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Diamox/Acetazolamide is being manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and comes in the form of oral tablets and also in injection form.
Diamox/Acetazolamide is most commonly used for the treatment of high pressure that build up in the eye due to open-angle glaucoma, and in combination with other drugs for the treatment of seizures.
A combination of Eye diseases, which slowly and steadily affects the eyes, leading to the loss of vision is called Glaucoma. This problem occurs when the nerve that helps in image formation in the eyes, gets damaged and thereby a person looses the eight sight slowly.
Diamox is used for to treat Open angle glaucoma,. Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, and it occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over a period of time. Due to this a high pressure is built up in the eyes called intraocular pressure or IOP because the appropriate quantity of eye fluid cannot come out of the eye. With open angle glaucoma, the entrances to the drainage canals are clear and should be working correctly. The clogging problem occurs inside the drainage canals, like the clogging that can occur inside the pipe below the drain in a sink.
This is a problem, which cannot be rectified as such. But it can be controlled by the use of certain eye drops that helps in lowering the pressure that builds up in the eye, which may cause blindness. Diamox is one of such drugs used for this purpose.
When the frequency of seizures increases too much it is termed as Epilepsy. The problem of seizure and epilepsy starts from the brain, because of the uncontrolled transmission of electric signals in the brain.
Diamox/Acetazolamide works well for the treatment of problems as explained above.
How Diamox works?
Diamox/Acetazolamide belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, where Carbonic anhydrase is a chemical in the body that is responsible for the production and breakdown of carbonic acid. Diamox works in a way that it inhibits the action of carbonic anhydrase and thereby help in decreasing the production of bicarbonate.
Bicarbonate is required for the production of the fluid that fills the back of the eye (aqueous humour). By decreasing the production of bicarbonate, acetazolamide decreases the amount of aqueous humour produced in the eye. This helps reduce the pressure caused by the fluid within the eye in conditions such as glaucoma.
Diamox/Acetazolamide is also used to increase the amount of bicarbonate lost from the body, which further throws out water with it from the kidneys. This results in a small increase in the amount of water being lost from the body. Hence Diamox also works as a diuretic.
Another use of Diamox/Acetazolamide is in the treatment of epilepsy. Diamox/Acetazolamide is used in conjunction with another anticonvulsant drugs and it stabilises the activity of nerves. Chemicals must pass through openings on nerve cells for electrical signals to be generated. By decreasing the amount of bicarbonate produced in the body, Diamox changes the balance of chemicals in the blood. This may alter the amounts of some chemicals that can pass through the openings on nerve cells. This in turn, may help prevent excessively rapid and repetitive firing of electrical signals. Thereby electrical nerve activity in the brain may be stabilised, leading to prevention of fits and maintenance of normal brain function.
Is any prescription required to get Diamox?
Since Diamox/Acetazolamide is meant for the eyes, and for seizures, hence just like other similar medicines, it is required to have a prescription of a Medical expert before one can get Diamox. Also, one should wash his/her hands properly before touching the bottle of this eye solution. Diamox may be dropped in the affected eye by pressing the cap of the bottle it is contained in. The exact usage of Diamox/Acetazolamide may be consulted with an eye specialist, and with a neurosurgeon if used for the treatment of seizures.
Dosage of Diamox?
Diamox should be used in the dose range of 250mg taken 2-4 times in a day. Diamox starts its action after 1-2 hours of intake, and its reaction is seen after 8-12 hours. Diamox should be taken along with milk or food, and should not be taken empty stomach. For the exact dosage, one must consult a doctor.
What is the minimum duration for which Diamox should be taken?
As per the research done on this uptill now, there is no specific time period identified for the duration of Diamox use. This depends on whether the person suffering from the problem is benefited from this or not. Generally Diamox/Acetazolamide is very effective for every individual; hence it must be continued for as long as desired, as it cannot be cured completely.
Are there any side effects of Diamox?
- Diarrhea
- Change in taste
- Loss of appetite
- Frequency of urination
- Numbness
- Increased thirst
- Confusion
- Rash
Note: The intensity of the above may vary from person to person.
Under what circumstances should Diamox not be used?
- If a person is taking some other drug, Diamox should be taken with the consent of a Medical practitioner.
- If a person has allergy with Diamox/Acetazolamide or any other drug.
- Diamox/Acetazolamide has the chances of making the skin sensitive to sunlight, and hence it should be taken care of.
- If a person is being operated, may be minor, your medical specialist should know about it.
- If a person is having some other disease like Asthma, Hypertension, Diabetes, or some other problem with any body part.
- Tasks involving high concentration should be avoid immediately after taking Diamox/Acetazolamide, as Diomax may cause drowsiness.
- Diamox/Acetazolamide should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Under which storage conditions Diamox should be kept?
Diamox should be stored at room temperature and the place where it is kept should not have excessive moisture and temperature. However, Diamox/Acetazolamide should be kept in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Also, as per the general indications for any medicine, Diamox should also be thrown away if it is outdated.
Major Drug (Diamox and other similar drug) Manufacturers
- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
- Alcon
- Goldshield
- Merck Sharp & Dohme
- Allergan
- Pharmacia
- Chauvin
- Novartis
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From where can one get Diamox?
Anyone can buy Diamox from Online Canadian Pharmacy, which is available at a discounted price, 50% off, in Canada, and the best way to get Diamox is by logging on to http://www.canadiandrugswholesale.com
for online orders. This pharmacy provides you with drugs at cheap and affordable prices. One can order the medicine and pay through VISA, MasterCard or international money order.
Why to buy Diamox drug from Canada?
It is cheaper to buy Diamox from Online Canadian Pharmacy, because Canadian government regulates the prices of Diamox and also because of the very common reason of exchange rate. Since, the Canadian dollar is cheaper as compared to the US Dollars, so one can buy more Diamox from Canada, thereby saving a lot of money.
This product requires a valid prescription
