Neptazane (Methazolamide)

(meth'' a zol' a mide)

Methazolamide is used to treat glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision). Methazolamide is in a class of medications called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It works by decreasing the pressure in the eye.

Methazolamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day. Take methazolamide at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take methazolamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Methazolamide controls glaucoma but does not cure it. Continue to take methazolamide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking methazolamide without talking to your doctor.

Before taking methazolamide,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to methazolamide, sulfa drugs, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in methazolamide tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); and vitamins. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or adrenal gland disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take methazolamide.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking methazolamide, call your doctor.
• you should know that methazolamide may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Methazolamide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Methazolamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• hearing problems or ringing in the ears
• tiredness or lack of energy
• vomiting or diarrhea
• change in how things taste
• increased urination
• vision changes

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• blisters or peeling skin
• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• muscle weakness
• seizures
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms

Methazolamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to methazolamide. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. ¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.