Diamox ER 500 Capsule belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors used to treat glaucoma, oedema (fluid retention), epilepsy, and to treat and prevent altitude/mountain sickness. Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. Fluid retention is a condition in which fluids are accumulated in the body tissues.
 
Diamox ER 500 Capsule contains ‘acetazolamide’, which inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme. This inhibitory action decreases the secretion of aqueous humour, thereby lowers intraocular pressure. Diamox ER 500 Capsule inhibits the carbonic anhydrase enzyme; this helps retard abnormal, excessive discharge from central nervous system neurons, thereby helps treat certain dysfunctions of the central nervous system such as epilepsy. Diamox ER 500 Capsule reduces the activity of carbonic anhydrase, thereby helps lower fluid retention.
 
You are advised to take Diamox ER 500 Capsule for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and increased urination. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
 
Avoid taking Diamox ER 500 Capsule if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Diamox ER 500 Capsule is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Diamox ER 500 Capsule might cause dizziness and drowsiness; so, drive only if you are alert. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to prevent any side effects/interactions.

Diamox ER 500 Capsule belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors used to treat glaucoma, oedema (fluid retention), epilepsy, and to treat and prevent altitude/mountain sickness. Diamox ER 500 Capsule works by inhibiting the carbonic anhydrase enzyme. This inhibitory action decreases the secretion of aqueous humour, thereby lowering intraocular pressure. Diamox ER 500 Capsule inhibits the carbonic anhydrase enzyme; this helps retard abnormal, excessive discharge from central nervous system neurons, thereby helps treat certain dysfunctions of the central nervous system, such as epilepsy. Diamox ER 500 Capsule reduces the activity of carbonic anhydrase, thereby helping lower fluid retention. Diamox ER 500 Capsule may also be used to treat muscle weakness/periodic paralysis and to lower the increased pressure in the areas surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Increased urination
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness

Do not take Diamox ER 500 Capsule if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have severe kidney/liver problems, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma, Addison’s disease, if you have low sodium and/or potassium levels or high chlorine levels. Inform your doctor if you have lung problems, kidney stones, electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland problems, diabetes, or heart problems. Avoid taking Diamox ER 500 Capsule if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Diamox ER 500 Capsule is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Diamox ER 500 Capsule might cause dizziness and drowsiness; so, drive only if you are alert. Diamox ER 500 Capsule might make your skin sensitive to sunlight; therefore, wear protective clothing and sunscreen whilst going out.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Diamox ER 500 Capsule may have interaction with cardiac glycoside (digoxin), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-diabetic (metformin, gliclazide), anti-convulsant (phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate), steroid (prednisolone), anti-glaucoma agents (dorzolamide, brinzolamide), anti-arrhythmic (quinidine), anti-maniac (lithium), immunosuppressant (ciclosporin), alkalinizing agent (sodium bicarbonate), and anti-hypertensive medicines.

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have severe kidney/liver problems, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma, Addison’s disease, low sodium and/or potassium levels, or high chlorine levels.

• DIGOXIN
• WARFARIN
• METFORMIN
• GLICLAZIDE
• PHENYTOIN
• PRIMIDONE
• CARBAMAZEPINE
• TOPIRAMATE
• PREDNISOLONE
• DORZOLAMIDE
• BRINZOLAMIDE
• QUINIDINE
• LITHIUM
• CICLOSPORIN
• SODIUM BICARBONATE

GLAUCOMA:

• Avoid intake of baked foods such as cakes, cookies, doughnuts or fried items such as French fries and stick margarine as these foods may worsen glaucoma and damage the optic nerve.

• Limit coffee intake as it may increase pressure in the eye. Replace coffee with green tea.

• Avoid exercises such as any position where the head is lower than the body, like an inverted yoga pose, as it may increase pressure in the eye. Doing selective exercises is advised for glaucoma patients.

EPILEPSY:

• Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health. 

• Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.

• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.

• Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.

• Have a seizure response plan to help those around you know what to do.

• Prepare your living area; small changes may help reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.

• Understand what triggers seizures and try reducing or avoiding them.

• Please pay attention to overall health, as it can help reduce seizure activity.

• Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.

FLUID RETENTION:

• Limit salt intake.

• Consume foods rich in magnesium, such as nuts, dark chocolate, whole grains, and leafy vegetables.

• Include foods rich in vitamin B6, such as potatoes, bananas, meat, and walnuts.

• Potassium reduces water retention, therefore, include potassium-rich foods such as avocados, tomatoes, and bananas.

• Avoid refined carbohydrates.

• Walking can help reduce fluid retention.

• If you are due to have any surgery, inform the doctor/surgeon that you are taking Diamox ER 500 Capsule .

• Your doctor may advise frequent blood tests whilst taking Diamox ER 500 Capsule .

• Regular monitoring of serum electrolyte levels is advised.

• Talk to your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself.

Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms for glaucoma initially, except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely, glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance or nausea.

Epilepsy/Seizures: Seizures, also known as fits or convulsions, are a single occurrence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, whereas epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Symptoms include mood changes, anxiousness, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle jerking, spasms, loss of balance, teeth clenching, rapid blinking or eye movements, biting the tongue, confusion, and loss of consciousness. 

Fluid retention/oedema: It is a condition in which fluids are accumulated in the body tissues. Symptoms include bloating, weight fluctuations, puffiness of the face, abdomen, and hips, and swollen legs, ankles, and feet.