Acetazolamide 250 mg tablets primarily treat altitude sickness. They reduce symptoms like headache and nausea by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase, thus decreasing cerebrospinal fluid production.
Doctors also prescribe acetazolamide for glaucoma. It lowers intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor formation, thereby protecting optic nerves.
Another significant application is managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). By decreasing cerebrospinal fluid production, acetazolamide helps alleviate the pressure on the brain, relieving related symptoms.
Furthermore, acetazolamide finds use in treating certain types of epilepsy, particularly those involving secondary generalized seizures. Its mechanism here is less clear but involves impacting neuronal excitability.
Finally, it’s sometimes used to manage metabolic alkalosis, a condition characterized by excessive alkalinity in the blood. Acetazolamide promotes excretion of bicarbonate, helping restore blood pH balance.
