Acetamide 250 mg Tablet (Acetazolamide): Uses, Side Effects, and Safety Information
Clinical Reference Standards: CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation), Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) & WHO | Last Updated: September 2026
What is actamide 250mg tablet used for?
Acetamide 250 mg tablet contains acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It is used to lower eye pressure in glaucoma, prevent altitude sickness, and as an add-on treatment for some seizures. It works by reducing fluid production in the eye and changing acid-base balance. It is a prescription medicine and should be taken only under medical supervision.
- Generic Name: Acetazolamide
- Manufacturer: Micro Labs Ltd
- Form: Allopathy
- Pregnancy Category: Consult doctor
- Prescription Required: Yes
🇮🇳 actamide 250mg tablet के बारे में (Hindi Summary)
उपयोग: एसिटामाइड 250 मिलीग्राम टैबलेट में एसिटाजोलामाइड होता है, जिसका उपयोग ग्लूकोमा में आंखों का दबाव कम करने, ऊंचाई की बीमारी (अल्टीट्यूड सिकनेस) को रोकने और कुछ प्रकार के दौरे (मिर्गी) के इलाज में सहायक के रूप में किया जाता है। यह कार्बोनिक एनहाइड्रेज़ एंजाइम को रोककर काम करता है। यह एक प्रिस्क्रिप्शन दवा है और इसे डॉक्टर की सलाह के बिना नहीं लेना चाहिए।
साइड इफेक्ट्स: आम दुष्प्रभावों में हाथ-पैरों में झुनझुनी, बार-बार पेशाब आना, चक्कर आना, जी मिचलाना, और कार्बोनेटेड पेय के साथ धातु जैसा स्वाद शामिल हैं। गंभीर दुष्प्रभाव दुर्लभ हैं लेकिन एलर्जी, त्वचा पर गंभीर प्रतिक्रिया, रक्त विकार, गुर्दे की पथरी, और इलेक्ट्रोलाइट असंतुलन हो सकते हैं। कोई भी गंभीर लक्षण होने पर तुरंत डॉक्टर से मिलें।
सुरक्षा सलाह: एसिटामाइड एक प्रिस्क्रिप्शन दवा है। इसे डॉक्टर के बताए अनुसार ही लें। खाने के साथ लेने से पेट की परेशानी कम हो सकती है। पर्याप्त पानी पिएं जब तक डॉक्टर ने तरल पदार्थ प्रतिबंधित न किया हो। दवा लेते समय शराब से बचें। गर्भावस्था या स्तनपान के दौरान डॉक्टर से सलाह लें।
💊 actamide 250mg tablet Uses & Benefits
[{"condition":"Glaucoma (open-angle and secondary)","description":"Used to lower increased pressure inside the eye by reducing aqueous humor production, either alone or with other eye-pressure-lowering medicines."},{"condition":"Acute altitude sickness (prevention and treatment)","description":"Helps prevent and reduce symptoms of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema by stimulating breathing and reducing fluid retention."},{"condition":"Epilepsy (adjunctive therapy)","description":"Used as an add-on treatment for certain seizure types, including absence seizures and some focal seizures, when other medicines are not fully effective."},{"condition":"Edema due to heart failure or other causes","description":"Occasionally used as a diuretic to remove excess fluid, usually in combination with other diuretics."},{"condition":"Metabolic alkalosis","description":"Used in selected cases to correct excessive alkalinity of the blood, especially when associated with diuretic use or certain lung diseases."}]
Off-label uses: [{"condition":"Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri)","description":"Sometimes used to reduce cerebrospinal fluid production and lower intracranial pressure, though evidence and guidelines vary."},{"condition":"Periodic paralysis","description":"Occasionally used in some forms of periodic paralysis to prevent attacks, under specialist supervision."}]
Primary treatment for: Glaucoma
Also treats: Acute altitude sickness, Epilepsy, Edema, Metabolic alkalosis
📋 Drug Information
| Generic Name(s) | Acetazolamide |
| Brand Name | Acetamide |
| Manufacturer | Micro Labs Ltd |
| Packaging / Form | Varies by brand (Allopathy) |
| Therapeutic Class | OPHTHAL |
| Action Class | Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor |
| Route of Administration | Oral |
| Storage | Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep in the original container, tightly closed. Keep out of reach of children. |
| Shelf Life | Not established from the available information. |
| WHO Guideline | Not established from the available information. |
| ICMR Guideline | Not established from the available information. |
🔬 How This Medicine Works (Pharmacology)
Pharmacokinetics
How It Works
Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It reversibly blocks the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the eye, kidney, and central nervous system. In the eye, this reduces the formation of aqueous humor, lowering intraocular pressure. In the kidney, it causes increased excretion of bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, and water, producing a mild diuretic effect and metabolic acidosis. In the brain and respiratory center, it stimulates ventilation and reduces cerebrospinal fluid production, which helps in altitude sickness and some seizure disorders.
Mechanism Steps
💡 How to Take actamide 250mg tablet
Strength: 250 mg
Dosage Information
| Adult Dosage | Dosage varies by indication. For glaucoma, typical adult doses range from 250 mg to 1000 mg per day in divided doses. For altitude sickness prevention, 125 mg to 250 mg twice daily is often used, starting 24–48 hours before ascent. For epilepsy, 250 mg to 1000 mg per day in divided doses is typical. For edema, 250 mg to 375 mg once daily or every other day may be used. Always follow your doctor's prescription; doses must be individualized. |
| Pediatric Dosage | Pediatric dosing is weight-based and indication-specific. It must be determined by a qualified pediatrician. Do not use this medicine in children without medical advice. |
| Elderly Dosage | Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of acetazolamide, especially drowsiness, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalances. Dose selection should be cautious, often starting at the lower end of the range, and kidney function should be considered. |
| Renal Impairment | Acetazolamide is excreted by the kidneys. In patients with kidney impairment, dose reduction or avoidance may be necessary. Exact adjustment depends on creatinine clearance or eGFR and should be determined by a doctor. |
| Hepatic Impairment | Acetazolamide is not significantly metabolized by the liver, but it should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease due to risk of electrolyte imbalance and hepatic encephalopathy. Consult your doctor for dose adjustment. |
| Maximum Daily Dose | The maximum recommended daily dose is generally 1000 mg for most indications, but this may vary. Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor. |
Dosage Timeline
⚠️ Side Effects of actamide 250mg tablet
✅ Common Side Effects
🚨 Serious Side Effects
⚠️ Rare Side Effects
Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.
🔬 Drug Interactions
| Drug | Severity | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | ||
| Minor | ||
| Minor | ||
| Minor |
🚨 Major Interactions
- Salicylates (e.g., high-dose aspirin)
- Lithium
- Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., topiramate, methazolamide)
- Primidone
⚡ Moderate Interactions
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, thiazides)
- Corticosteroids
- Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- Methenamine
🍷 Alcohol Interaction
Alcohol may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. It is advisable to avoid or limit alcohol while taking acetazolamide.
🛡️ Safety & Warnings
🚫 Contraindications
["Known hypersensitivity to acetazolamide or sulfonamides","Severe kidney disease or kidney failure","Severe liver disease or hepatic cirrhosis","Hyperchloremic acidosis","Hypokalemia or hyponatremia","Adrenocortical insufficiency","Long-term use in chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma"]
⚠️ Warnings & Precautions
[{"warning":"Severe allergic reactions","reason":"Acetazolamide is a sulfonamide derivative; cross-sensitivity may occur.","action":"Seek immediate medical attention for rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing."},{"warning":"Serious skin reactions","reason":"Rarely, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported.","action":"Stop the medicine and seek urgent care for blistering or peeling skin."},{"warning":"Blood disorders","reason":"Rare cases of agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.","action":"Report unusual bleeding, bruising, fever, or sore throat promptly."},{"warning":"Kidney stones","reason":"Acetazolamide increases urinary calcium and decreases citrate, promoting stone formation.","action":"Maintain adequate fluid intake; report flank pain or blood in urine."},{"warning":"Metabolic acidosis","reason":"Acetazolamide causes bicarbonate loss.","action":"Monitor acid-base status; report rapid breathing or confusion."},{"warning":"Electrolyte imbalances","reason":"Increased excretion of potassium and sodium.","action":"Monitor electrolytes; report muscle weakness or cramps."},{"warning":"Drowsiness and impaired alertness","reason":"Acetazolamide can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.","action":"Avoid driving or operating machinery until effects are known."},{"warning":"Use in pregnancy and lactation","reason":"Potential risk to fetus and infant.","action":"Consult your doctor before use."}]
🤱 Lactation Safety
Acetazolamide is excreted in breast milk. Limited data are available on its effects on the breastfed infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
💊 Overdose Management
Overdose of acetazolamide may cause severe metabolic acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, drowsiness, confusion, and seizures. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not try to treat yourself at home. Treatment is supportive and may include monitoring of blood gases, electrolytes, and vital signs, and correction of imbalances as needed.
⏰ Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Additional Safety Advice
Acetazolamide is a prescription medicine. Do not start, stop, or change the dose without consulting your doctor. Take it exactly as prescribed, usually with food if it upsets your stomach. Drink adequate fluids unless your doctor has told you to restrict fluids. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, low potassium or sodium levels, lung problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Do not use it for altitude sickness without medical advice, and do not share it with others.
🔄 Substitutes for actamide 250mg tablet
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iomide 250mg tabletHicare Pharma ₹34.20 103.6% COSTLIER
Medical Note: Always consult your doctor before switching medications.
🛑 Myths vs. Facts
- Myth: Acetamide is a painkiller.
Fact: Acetamide is not a painkiller; it is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used for glaucoma, altitude sickness, and some seizures. - Myth: You can stop taking it once you feel better.
Fact: You should not stop without consulting your doctor, as abrupt discontinuation may worsen the condition. - Myth: It is safe to take extra doses if you miss one.
Fact: Do not double the dose. Follow the missed dose instructions provided by your doctor.
🔄 Alternative Options
Generic Alternatives
- Acetazolamide 250 mg tablet
Brand Alternatives
- Diamox