acetazolamide
Used for Epilepsy and Glaucoma
NowPatient helps you obtain your acetazolamide prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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Lower the cost of your acetazolamide prescription
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acetazolamide key facts
What dosages is acetazolamide available in?
acetazolamide is available as a 500 mg extended-release oral capsule.
What is acetazolamide used for?
acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and is used to treat altitude sickness (mountain sickness), glaucoma, edema (swelling in the body due to fluid buildup), and epilepsy (petit mal, unlocalized seizures).
How does acetazolamide work?
acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that affects your body’s fluid and acid-base balance. For altitude sickness, it allows your body to use oxygen better at high altitudes. To help with edema in the body, acetazolamide removes extra water and electrolytes from your body and pass them into your urine. In addition, the medication lowers the amount of fluid in your eyes to treat glaucoma. Though unclear, acetazolamide appears to calm your nervous system to help with seizures.
How do I take acetazolamide?
acetazolamide is typically taken by mouth at doses up to 1000 mg per day. This dose can be separated into smaller doses throughout the day.
Is it safe for me to take acetazolamide?
acetazolamide is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have a known allergy to sulfonamides, your sodium and/or potassium blood serum levels are depressed because kidney and liver disease or dysfunction, suprarenal gland failure, and in hyperchloremic acidosis, have cirrhosis, or chronic noncongestive angle-closure glaucoma.
acetazolamide Common Side Effects
Common side effects of acetazolamide include:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
acetazolamide Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with acetazolamide. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction or severe skin reactions: hives, peeling or blistering skin, fever, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips
- Electrolyte or acid-base imbalance: nausea, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, rapid breathing, or confusion
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on acetazolamide
The following medications may interact with acetazolamide:
Phenytoin: acetazolamide modifies phenytoin metabolism with increased serum levels of phenytoin.
- Primidone – May decrease serum concentrations of primidone and its metabolites
- Amphetamine and quinidnie – Decreases urinary excretion and may enhance the magnitude and duration of their effect
- Lithium – Increases lithium excretion and the lithium may be decreased
Who makes acetazolamide?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is acetazolamide safe in pregnancy?
acetazolamide may cause fetal harm based on animal studies. It should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my acetazolamide prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your acetazolamide prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient acetazolamide savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient acetazolamide savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for acetazolamide | Canadian Prescription Savings* for acetazolamide | acetazolamide Drug Coupon* | acetazolamide Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of acetazolamide?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for acetazolamide | Canadian Prescription Savings* for acetazolamide | acetazolamide Drug Coupon* | acetazolamide Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the acetazolamide savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the acetazolamide drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for acetazolamide, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the acetazolamide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, acetazolamide is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed acetazolamide for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the acetazolamide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the acetazolamide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for acetazolamide
If you are having trouble paying for your acetazolamide medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for acetazolamide you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- acetazolamide is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers acetazolamide
- If acetazolamide is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for acetazolamide
If you are having trouble paying for your acetazolamide medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for acetazolamide you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers acetazolamide
- If acetazolamide is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for acetazolamide
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your acetazolamide treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for acetazolamide you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for acetazolamide
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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