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Acetazolamide User Reviews & Ratings

Acetazolamide has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 183 reviews on Drugs.com. 48% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 27% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Acetazolamide

  • exwvg...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 22, 2013

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been on Diamox for many years. Started out with tunnel vision and then found to have pseudotumor cerebri (which my mom has too). I have even had lumbar punctures to drain the fluid off my brain as well in the beginning. This medication has worked wonders. I did have tingling and numbness in my feet, finger, nose, lips but that eased off by taking Vitamin C or eating oranges, (this was recommended by my doctor and it works). Now the tingling and numbness are gone. I don't know what I would have done without this medication. Now all I do is take the medicine once a day and move on with my life. Please hang in there and don't get discouraged."

10 / 10
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  • Sarah...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 2, 2018

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I had Pseudotumor Cerebri and Papilledema (an eye condition that happens when pressure in your brain makes your optic nerve swell.) I was blind for 14 days. After taking Diamox I slowly regained my vision. I also had Gastric Bypass Surgery. This had me reduce my weight and any pressure. I am now cured."

9 / 10
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115 Report
  • LewyLew
  • May 2, 2014

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the early summer of 2013. I was put on 1000mg of Diamox at the beginning of November 2013 to keep the fluids from damaging more of my vision through swelling of my optic nerves. Felt the side effects within the first hour. Tingling in my hands and feet, some days my face. There were even days when my eyes and lips would twitch. All carbonated drinks taste like drinking battery acid. The first few weeks sucked, but it gets better with time. I just saw my eye specialist yesterday, 6 months of being on the miracle medicine, and the Diamox (and shedding a few pounds) has done it's job and not a trace of swelling! I'm able to come off it in a few short weeks. Thank God for good doctors!"

10 / 10
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137 Report
  • tired...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 14, 2020

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "Have been on the med for about 3 weeks. 1 pill - 125mg every night. Did not help...I still had episodes. Last week started 2 pills (in the a.m. and one p.m.). While it seems (so far) to be holding off the episodes, I feel AWFUL. Ears were already ringing and this has just turned it up. Nausea. General feeling of "I just don't feel well". Weakness and fatigue. Feels like I'm breathing in air but no oxygen...like I'm getting no benefit from it (does that make sense?). Slept for about 8.5-9 hours last night and still woke up completely exhausted."

5 / 10
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62 Report
  • Saywhat
  • July 1, 2015

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "Very good. Headache has gone, feeling much less foggy and dizzy. Everything's going well. It's only been two days, and I'll review in a month or two. I just want everyone who's scared of taking it because of the horror stories to realise it's not bad. I've had slight tingling, but it's just like pins and needles. I've lost 4lb (which I'm assuming is water). When my doctor prescribed it, he said that the people that stop taking it are those that misinterpret the symptoms as dangerous. This is a mild diuretic, and as such is very safe for most people. The tingling is normal - apparently Vit C can help, and I've taken one this morning and had no tingling. If you're thinking of taking it, try not to google reviews - most people with positive experiences don't comment, they just get on with their lives. I've vowed to come back to every IIH thread I can find and discuss my recovery to show that there are positive stories. My doctor says he gets a new diagnosis of this every week. It's not as rare as 1/2:100000. He sees it every week and he sees many people recover promptly. Yes, it's horrible. Yes, the symptoms feel like they'll last forever (especially if you google, because all you see are the worst-case scenarios. The ones who are over it just get on with their lives, though I wish more would come back and tell us!), but for most people, life becomes liveable again. I've had it 3 years now, diagnosed for 1 year, and on meds for 2 days, and I can feel a massive improvement."

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  • Mnmin...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 15, 2020

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I am taking acetazolamide 500mg twice daily for pseudo tumor cerebri. I had to have a lumbar puncture to relieve the pressure. My neurologist says that I need to plan to take this med for at least 2 years. You can’t drink soda when you’re on this medication. It tastes like acid burning your tongue and throat if you try to drink it. When I first started this, I had terrible tingling in my face, lips and the top of my head. Now it is rare for me to experience this. I experience tingly fingers multiple times daily. I have tingling and uncomfortable feet at least once or twice daily. It’s not necessarily numb - it’s an uncomfortable pins and needles feeling. No one else has stated this but I feel like I have to urinate all of the time, but when I pee it feels like I can’t go all of the way. Like I’m unable to empty my bladder. Overall the medication does what it is supposed to and the fluid and pressure has decreased dramatically in just 5 months. I hate the side effects however."

10 / 10
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43 Report
  • Akc
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 3, 2016

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "Day 21 I had completely lost my eyesight, imagine that. Losing 20/10 vision at 25 years old. I was diagnosed with chiari type 1 malformation and intracranial hypertension. 100mg of prednisone a day, 1500 mg of diamox a day. The side effects, I get a lil tingle in my feet for a minute maybe 4x a day, carbon drinks taste weird. I don't drink soda but due to food poisoning on New Years I didn't have to much of a choice. The diamox dropped my pressure in both eyes to 5 which is low. But I am regaining vision no peripheral vision yet but I am blessed to have something. Sitting in a room for weeks of blackness and opening Christmas gifts in front of your family with no sight I appreciate my family life so much more. Truely blessed for my family."

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79 Report
  • Mogul...
  • January 17, 2013

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Mountain Sickness / Altitude Sickness "I don't always use medication when I go skiing in higher altitudes but when I do I prefer Diamox. This is a God send when I am sleeping at 10,000 ft and skiing at 12,000-14,000 ft. I tend to get a little clumsy and do not have the focus and sharp alertness while taking the medicine. I just need to take the medication starting a couple days before the trip for about 4-5 days. The whole process is all about getting your body acclimated to the change in altitude from sea level to 10,000 ft in a few hours. Other preparations are still needed such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, NSAIDs, aspirin, sleeping agents. Start drinking a gallon of water each day while on this medicine."

10 / 10
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83 Report
  • Kaferey
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 13, 2020

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I got meningitis and and I thankfully I healed. I told my doctors several times my vision is not good, I can not see very well. I have double vision. But I didn’t have any chance to see an eye doctor in the hospital. I was discharged from hospital with my vision problem. So I decided to go an eye doctor. Eye doctor saw that Papilledema back of my eye and it was scary because he told me this is emergency you can be blind. I just scared. And he was great doctor he told me they will probably give you diamox if it wouldn’t work they will put a shunt. And I went to the hospital they told me the same thing. And they start giving me diamox 500 mg in the morning 500 mg in the night 2 doses in a day. I used for 5 months and it worked. I cured thanks God. But I lost weight also for helping this situation. I lost 20 kg in 5 months. I was 100 kgs now I am 80 kgs. Definitely respect this medicine take your medicine on time. Don’t use and alcohol. Stay healthy. God bless you all."

10 / 10
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  • AubreyH
  • December 19, 2017

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I am 18 years old and I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri after an allergic reaction to long term use of tetracyclines for acne. I went to the ER twice experiencing persistent, debilitating migraines, double vision, and one eye turned to face inward towards my nose, and they were unable to relieve any of it. My eye doctor, after a month of different testing, diagnosed me with pseudotumor cerebri and a neurologist started me on diamox and within two weeks my eye turned straight again, and the headaches and double vision were gone. I experienced the common tingling in my hands and feet, difficulty drinking carbonated beverages, small rashes, and lethargy from diamox, but it was all bearable after a week and within a month I am fixed."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • Omieliz
  • July 13, 2015

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was just diagnosed with IIH/PTC last week. My neuro started me on Diamox the same day. Although I have had tingling in my hands and feet as well as lethargy, the pressure behind my eyes has already started to go down. My ophthalmologist was very pleased today with the optic nerve scan and said there has been decrease of pressure in both eyes. A little tingle here or there and a bit of sleepiness is worth saving my vision! So far, I'm a happy girl!"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2014

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Mountain Sickness / Altitude Sickness "Works very well to prevent symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness with no perceived side effects. I take 125mg twice per day as recommended by the altitudemedicine.org website for high altitude hiking. This actually speeds up the bodys acclimitization process and doesn't just treat the symptoms. Highly recommend it for staying well on high altitude pursuits."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2012

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "Can I just say for the people that are stating they have tingling/numbness with this medicine. I experienced this over a year and a half ago when I was first put on Diamox, they took me off it and put me on Topamax instead. For a year and a bit I was on Topamax and lost 30kg but the headaches never completely went away. Now I have been put back on Diamox for almost the last two weeks and I find only sometimes will I get any tingling at all... whereas last year when I first tried it I couldn't stand it. What I find works for me is taking the tablet whilst I'm eating, keeping my fluid up (only water), soft drinks and "bad" foods do tend to make it worse so I try to stay away from these. I find Diamox really does work if you're prepared to go that extra mile!"

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  • jennyd
  • November 3, 2010

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been on this medicine for approximately 4 months. The benefits that I have had with my vision and headaches has been wonderful. The things I am not sure about and cannot find much about is that I have a great deal of memory loss. I have searched this on several sites and I cannot find anything about it so I am not sure if it is a side effect or if it is happening to me for some other reason. I have had some confusion since I have started it and that is starting to concern me. The only alternative to this medication is to have a shunt put in and I am not sure I am ready for that. I don't like the fact that I cannot have carbonated beverages but I am sure that it is a good thing as I was a soda addict."

9 / 10
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69 Report
  • Janetta...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 16, 2016

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "This drug has not helped relieve pressure, headaches or Visual Impairments in my case. My vision continues to go in and out without notice, waking up everyday with a headache and continue to have one well into the late evening before bedtime. The side effects are awful! I have lost 29lbs in THREE weeks! I am unable to hold anything down, everything tastes nasty or like I'm eating pennies. Constant fatigue and restlessness. The prickling in the hands and toes, not to mention the constant nausea. Every case is different. It's not working for me but could for someone else. I cannot tell anyone to NOT take a drug or TO take a drug for IIH. Because every case is different, everyone will see different results."

1 / 10
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  • Infor...
  • December 26, 2014

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Glaucoma "I have been on Diamox 3 times now to manage spikes in eye pressure. On all three occasions my eye pressure soared into the 60's and 70's before I started to come down 7-11 hours later. My body temperature plummeted, I just shivered and could not keep warm for the first few hours. Within the first 24 hours my legs weakened considerably and significantly limited my capacity to walk. My speech and cognitive function also slowed noticeably. Using Diamox for over one week triggered mood changes and suicidal thoughts. While on this my blood pressure was on the low side. Upon discontinuation of this my blood pressure soared to 166/110 with some fluctuations for 2weeks afterwards. I hope sharing this helps others."

7 / 10
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  • matal...
  • December 4, 2017

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been on Diamox since 2004 when I was first diagnosed with a pseudotumor cerebri. I was hospitalized for 5 days after experiencing paralysis in my legs, severe headaches, nausea and visual impairment. I have tried to stop taking the medication but had to return to it due to the severe headaches and cranial swelling. I have constant problems with electrolyte deficiencies and have to take additional medications to alleviate other problems. This is still the best treatment I have experienced. In addition to this condition, I also have Lupus, HBP, Hypothyroidism and I am Bi-polar."

9 / 10
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  • Monik
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 12, 2020

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Hydrocephalus "I had to take this medication due to me having fluid around the brain. The doctors stated I had swelling behind my eyes which caused headaches and lost of vision. This medicine was disgusted the least to say. When I started this medicine I was 177.lb I weighed 155 by the time I finished the bottle. I had no appetite, no sex drive, dry moth and could only drink water or a juice I found that I liked and could actually taste! Soda tasted like metal. I took this medicine for 4 weeks. In August I had Shunt surgery! That was one of the best decisions of my life. My vision is a lot better and I’m free to wear whatever I like! Hope you all get better soon! If you have another options other than taking this medicine by all means do so! You will be a lot happier and not miserable!!!!"

3 / 10
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26 Report
  • Cat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 11, 2017

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "Diamox changed my life I had 24/7 pressure headache for 7 years of my life I went everywhere even to the mayo clinic and had test after test and scan after scan and finally my local neurologist tried this medication and it has made me able to live again for the first time in 7 years! I was diagnosed with chronic daily headache and told I would never get better but to everyone suffering there is hope don't believe what a few drs say keep searching for answers. Try this medication if nothing else has worked for you!"

8 / 10
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37 Report
  • Quali...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 16, 2013

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was just diagnosed last week with PseudoTumor Cerebraii. I had my first spinal tap yesterday.I started Diamox today. About 4 hours after the first dose I took a sip of Mountain Dew and about vomited. It tasted like drinking melted nails. My appetite is lessened which I am so glad about. I am 60 lbs overweight. My mouth is dry and my lips are somewhat numb. But from everything I have read the side effects to this medication or any other would have to be really bad before I'd say I can't take this medication any more. I pray the meds work so I do not need a shunt. I did not think of this as a disease. I thought it was just an occurrence like reflux or migraines."

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  • Anonymous
  • July 9, 2010

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I had swelling around my optic nerves causing vision problems and also had debilitating headaches that got worse with movement and made it impossible to exercise. I lived with it for years unknowingly and got progressively worse. My doctor diagnosed me with Pseudotumor cerebri. I have been taking generic Diamox for 3 weeks and haven't had a single headache. I can take my dogs for a walk now. There are 2 side effects I experience, tingling in my feet which was very bothersome but has lessened and that any beverages with carbonation taste terrible. No sodas, flavored water, beer, wine coolers, champagne. None of it taste normal/good. "

9 / 10
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  • Cairo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 28, 2014

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have had IIH since June of 2014 but was diagnosed "officially" with IIH in May 2014 after my first LP had an opening pressure of 45. I tried Diamox the first time but it made me so tired I couldn't handle it and then I went into spontaneous remission or at least my pulsatile tinnitus went away and I didn't need to keep taking it. I relapsed about a week ago and had an opening pressure of 55 after having extremely loud pulsatile tinnitus for a week. I was put on 1g of Diamox and for the past week the whooshing noise has gotten much, much softer and sometimes I can't even hear it. I take Vitamin C to help with the tingling and have barely noticed it. I'm thankful my body is responding well this time but it's different for everybody."

9 / 10
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  • Sherr...
  • February 1, 2015

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Pseudotumor Cerebri "Effective, but not without side effects. The first month was pretty bad - my hands, feet, and legs were falling asleep and I experienced painful tingling and cramps. My joints also had problems, and I had to wear a brace on my knee for a little while. I was more lethargic. Anything carbonated tasted awful. I couldn't drink caffeine or my whole body would feel weird and tingly. I also had to pee a lot during the first few weeks and was quite thirsty. Over time, most of the side effects went away, and my pressure went down. My vision problems completely went away. However, a new side effect appeared after about two years - tinnitus. It is definitely being caused by the medicine, because I've found that skipping a dose makes it go away."

7 / 10
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  • Abree
  • March 22, 2011

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Glaucoma "I was given Diamox to prevent any increase in eye pressure after an ICL surgery (basically cataract surgery). My pressures were great, but the side effects from this were no fun. I experienced dizziness, tingling in my toes, and worst of all, my taste was off. The worse taste difference I noticed was in caffeinated beverages and that's what caused my to do some looking around to see what was going on."

6 / 10
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50 Report
  • RAMKEY
  • February 17, 2018

Diamox (acetazolamide) for Glaucoma "Its a good medicine to decrease the Eye pressure. While taking this tab - depression and dark thoughts are more and I have no interest in food, and also my hands tickle like they are in water. Now I've stopped the medicine, my eye pressure become normal and constant. After stopping the medicine it takes a few days to decrease all the worst symptoms. "

8 / 10
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28 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.