Acetazolamide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 17, 2023.

Applies to acetazolamide: intravenous powder for solution, oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Acetazolamide

Along with its needed effects, acetazolamide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking acetazolamide:

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine
• bloody nose
• change in consciousness
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fever
• frequent urination
• headache
• heavier menstrual periods
• hives, itching, skin rash
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• muscle tremors
• nausea
• no muscle tone or movement
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• red irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• restlessness
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach pain or cramps
• sudden decrease in amount of urine
• sugar in the urine
• swollen or painful glands
• trouble breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• weight loss
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Acetazolamide

Some side effects of acetazolamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• changes in vision
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• hearing loss
• increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• severe sunburn

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to acetazolamide: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

General

Adverse reactions occurring early in therapy have included paresthesias, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and drowsiness.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions including shock and fatalities^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Blood dyscrasias such as aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia purpura^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Loss of appetite, electrolyte disturbances, metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia with long term therapy, hyponatremia osteomalacia with long-term therapy, hyper/hypoglycemia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Photosensitivity

Frequency not reported: Skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, rash including erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, melena^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function, cholestatic jaundice, fulminant hepatic necrosis, hepatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Paresthesias (up to 20%)

Frequency not reported: Drowsiness, headache, dizziness, taste alteration, ataxia, flaccid paralysis, convulsions, sensory disturbances^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Confusion, irritability, depression, excitement, reduced libido^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Transient myopia^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal colic, increased risk of nephrolithiasis, renal failure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Polyuria, polydipsia, crystalluria, renal calculi, hematuria, glycosuria^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Growth retardation in children^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Flushing, malaise, thirst, fatigue, fever, hearing disturbances^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site pain^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer