Methazolamide Tablets

What is this medication?

METHAZOLAMIDE (meth a ZOLE a mide) treats conditions with increased pressure of the eye, such as glaucoma. It works by decreasing the amount of fluid in the eye, which helps lower eye pressure.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Glauctabs, Neptazane

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low adrenal gland function
• Low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood
• Lung or breathing disease (COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema)
• An unusual or allergic reaction to methazolamide, sulfa medications, other medications, foods, dyes or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Diuretics
• Lithium
• Mexiletine
• Pseudoephedrine
• Quinidine
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Stimulant medications, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, ephedra

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Check with your care team if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medication.

You may need to be on a special diet while you are taking this medication. Ask your care team. Also, find out how many glasses of fluids you need to drink each day.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Aplastic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, increased bleeding or bruising
• High acid level—trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Kidney stones—blood in the urine, pain or trouble passing urine, pain in the lower back or sides
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Change in taste
• Fatigue
• Increase in amount of urine
• Loss of appetite
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Ringing in ears
• Upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.