pharmacopeia
GET
/api/v1/drug/methazolamide

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action class: Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors.

Carbonic Anhydrase

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Methazolamide Tablets are indicated in the treatment of ocular conditions where lowering intraocular pressure is likely to be of therapeutic benefit, such as chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and preoperatively in acute angle-closure glaucoma where lowering the intraocular pressure is desired before surgery.ICD-10: H40.9

Contraindications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Methazolamide therapy is contraindicated in situations in which sodium and/or potassium serum levels are depressed, in cases of marked kidney or liver disease or dysfunction, in adrenal gland failure, and in hyperchloremic acidosis. In patients with cirrhosis, use may precipitate the development of hepatic encephalopathy.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

The effective therapeutic dose administered varies from 50 mg to 100 mg two or three times daily. The drug may be used concomitantly with miotic and osmotic agents.

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias. Hypersensitivity reactions may recur when a sulfonamide is readministered, irrespective of the route of administration. If hypersensitivity or other serious reactions occur, the use of this drug should be discontinued. Caution is advised for patients receiving high-dose aspirin and methazolamide concomitantly, as anorexia, tachypnea, lethargy, coma, and death have been reported with concomitant use of high-dose aspirin and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Adverse reactions

Sourced from openFDA

Adverse reactions, occurring most often early in therapy, include paresthesias, particularly a “tingling” feeling in the extremities; hearing dysfunction or tinnitus; fatigue; malaise; loss of appetite; taste alteration; gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; polyuria; and occasional instances of drowsiness and confusion. Metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalance may occur. Transient myopia has been reported. This condition invariably subsides upon diminution or discontinuance of the medication. Other occasional adverse reactions include urticaria, melena, hematuria, glycosuria, hepatic insufficiency, flaccid paralysis, photosensitivity, convulsions, and, rarely, crystalluria and renal calculi. Also see PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients for possible reactions common to sulfonamide derivatives. Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias (see WARNINGS ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact NorthStar Rx LLC at 1-800-206-7821 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use in specific populations

Sourced from openFDA

Pregnancy Teratogenic effects Methazolamide has been shown to be teratogenic (skeletal anomalies) in rats when given in doses approximately 40 times the human dose. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Methazolamide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Overdosage

Sourced from openFDA

No data are available regarding methazolamide overdosage in humans as no cases of acute poisoning with this drug have been reported. Animal data suggest that even a high dose of methazolamide is nontoxic. No specific antidote is known. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and central nervous system effects might be expected to occur. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels should be monitored. Supportive measures may be required to restore electrolyte and pH balance.

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Jun 30, 1993ANDAANDA040001Ani Pharms
  • Jan 27, 1994ANDAANDA040062Anda Repository
  • Oct 5, 2018ANDAANDA207438Bausch And Lomb Inc
  • Oct 18, 2022ANDAANDA215615Tagi
  • Feb 9, 2026ANDAANDA217408Ajanta Pharma Ltd

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
324 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Drug Ineffective4012%
  2. 2Fatigue3611%
  3. 3Dizziness299.0%
  4. 4Headache288.6%
  5. 5Dyspnoea268.0%
  6. 6Off Label Use247.4%
  7. 7Blood Pressure Increased226.8%
  8. 8Asthenia216.5%
  9. 9Anxiety206.2%
  10. 10Death206.2%
  11. 11Pain In Extremity206.2%
  12. 12Fall185.6%
  13. 13Malaise185.6%
  14. 14Nasopharyngitis185.6%
  15. 15Arthralgia175.2%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Methazolamide as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 11 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Methazolamide as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Pharmacogenomics

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CPIC-curated drug–gene pairs for Methazolamide. Levels describe the strength of curated evidence and guideline status — never a recommendation to test or to adjust therapy.

  • HLA-BCPIC C (provisional)ClinPGx 2A
  • HLA-CCPIC C (provisional)ClinPGx 2B

Frequently asked questions

How does Methazolamide work?
Mechanism-of-action class: Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors.
What is Methazolamide used for?
According to FDA labeling, Methazolamide carries indications including: Methazolamide Tablets are indicated in the treatment of ocular conditions where lowering intraocular pressure is likely to be of therapeutic benefit, such as chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and preoperatively in acute angle-closure glaucoma where lowering the intraocular pressure is desired before surgery.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Methazolamide?
Methazolamide is classified as Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors, Decreased Intraocular Fluid Pressure, Increased Proximal Tubule Cl- Excretion, Increased Proximal Tubule HCO3- Excretion, Increased Proximal Tubule K+ Excretion, Increased Proximal Tubule Na+ Excretion.
What are the contraindications for Methazolamide?
Methazolamide labeling lists contraindications including: Methazolamide therapy is contraindicated in situations in which sodium and/or potassium serum levels are depressed, in cases of marked kidney or liver disease or dysfunction, in adrenal gland failure, and in hyperchloremic acidosis. In patients with cirrhosis, use may precipitate the development of hepatic encephalopathy.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for methazolamide is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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