Methazolamide Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Methazolamide Tablet (generic name methazolamide) is a prescription medicine belonging to the carbonic anhydrase inhibitors drug class. It is used to lower pressure inside the eye in certain types of glaucoma. It works by blocking an enzyme that reduces fluid production in the eye. It is taken by mouth and is available as a lower-cost generic.

What is Methazolamide Tablet

Methazolamide is a prescription tablet that reduces the activity of a protein in the body called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this protein can help reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.

Methazolamide Tablet uses

• Lowering pressure inside the eye in certain types of glaucoma (chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and before surgery for acute angle-closure glaucoma)

Benefits of Methazolamide Tablet

• Helps lower pressure inside the eye
• A tablet taken by mouth, which may be an option for people who don't like using eye drops
• Available as a lower-cost generic

How Methazolamide Tablet works

Methazolamide blocks an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase, which reduces fluid production inside the eye. This lowers the pressure inside the eye, helping protect against damage caused by glaucoma.

Methazolamide Tablet dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label, and do not use more or less than recommended or for longer than recommended. This medicine may be used together with other eye medicines (miotic and osmotic agents). Spread your doses evenly throughout the day and try to take the medicine at the same times each day to keep levels steady in your body. You may need frequent blood tests while using this medicine. This medicine may be only part of a complete treatment program, so follow your doctor's instructions closely. It is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (25 mg)
• Oral tablet (50 mg)

Side effects of Methazolamide Tablet

Common

• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea
• Numbness or tingling, especially in arms and legs
• Drowsiness, confusion
• Hearing problems, ringing in the ears
• Increased urination
• Altered sense of taste
• Weakness or tiredness
• Vision changes
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Blood in urine or stools
• A seizure (convulsions)
• Loss of movement in any part of the body
• Signs of a blood cell disorder: sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, pale skin, feeling tired or short of breath, rapid heart rate, nosebleeds, bleeding gums
• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain or swelling, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of skin or eyes
• Signs of metabolic acidosis: confusion, vomiting, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats
• Signs of a kidney stone: pain in side or lower back, blood in urine, painful or difficult urination
• Severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, swelling in face or tongue, burning eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling

Warnings and precautions

• You should not use this medicine if you have cirrhosis, severe liver or kidney disease, an electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland failure, or an allergy to methazolamide or sulfa drugs.
• Rarely, deaths have occurred from severe reactions to sulfonamide-type medicines, including severe skin reactions, liver failure, and serious blood cell problems.
• Taking high-dose aspirin together with this medicine can cause loss of appetite, fast breathing, tiredness, coma, and even death, so use caution and tell your doctor if you take aspirin.
• This medicine can make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds, and wear protective clothing and sunscreen when outdoors.
• Long-term use of this medicine is not recommended for people with angle-closure glaucoma, because the eye's drainage angle may stay blocked even though eye pressure is lowered.
• It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, since animal studies at high doses showed harm to unborn babies.
• It is not known whether methazolamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe kidney disease.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe liver disease or cirrhosis, since it may cause complications in these conditions.
• This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions, and it can cause drowsiness and vision changes. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use
• Dispense in a tight container with a child-resistant closure

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice blood in your urine or stools, have a seizure, lose movement in any part of your body, or show signs of a blood cell disorder such as sudden weakness, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, pale skin, tiredness, rapid heartbeat, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums.
• Get medical help right away if you develop signs of a severe skin reaction, such as fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning eyes, or a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Alternatives

• Acetazolamide