Acetazolamide.

I recently had a a cataract removal done. Two weeks have passed and I have a swelling at the back of the eye that is causing blurred vision in that eye. The opthamologist prescribed acetazoalamide, half tablet, 125 mg twice a day. Has anyone had any experience with this drug and what, if any, problems resulted from it's use? I am also taking Lumigan, Voltaren, FML Forte 4 times a day for the next four or five weeks. Does this sound familiar to anyone and if so can you give me a come back as to how well it worked? I am normally on the addiction forums due to being given an addictive drug by my doctor, called Oxycontin. Due to this I have an aversion to drugs in general and being somewhat paranoid since the oxycontin episode have taken on a skeptical attitude where all drugs are concerned.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

acetazolamide (diamox) is not used much for eye problems any more. It is an "old time" glaucoma medicine and is used to prevent mountain sickness. It looks like you've got pressure problems and maybe cystoid macular edema.

I took diamox when I climbed Kilimanjaro. Common side effedts are reduced appetite, tingling in the toes and fingers, cold toes and fingers, carbonated beverages taste "flat", increased urination. Hopefully you won't be on it too long.

It is available in a drop form (Trusopt or Azopt) that are much easier to take and fewer side affects. Its not exactly the same medicine but same family.

JCH III MD

[Mangee]

Thank you John. The opthamologist gave no name to it other than it is increased pressure at the back. I also have another eye drop coming tomorrow but at the moment cannot remember it's name. I am 81 years of age and like to take everything with a healthy dose of salt rather than a grain. In some departments the medical powers that be, here in Canada, believe in testing new treatments for a number of years even though it has been approved in other countries for a while. I will drop the names of Trusopt and Azopt on the doctor and see what he thinks. As I said before Oxycontin, a terrible powerful drug was given to me by my doctor and I never want to go through the withdrawal symptons that folowed ever agiin. That is why I am a somewht hesitant about drugs of any sort and I now have a habit of asking  a myriad of questions which often annoys the person I am questioning. Anyway thank you again for taking the time to enlighten me. Mannie