Methazolamide is 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.

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Intraocular pressure disorder --

Acute angle-closure glaucoma --

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.Long-term administration of methazolamide is contraindicated in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, since organic closure of the angle may occur in spite of lowered intraocular pressure.

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Liver diseases -- Pathological processes of the LIVER.

Functional disorder -- Disturbance, impairment or abnormality of function.

Adrenal gland hypofunction -- abnormally diminished activity of the adrenal gland.

HYPERCHLOREMIC ACIDOSIS --

Cirrhosis --

Liver Cirrhosis -- Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.

Hepatic Encephalopathy -- A syndrome characterized by central nervous system dysfunction in association with LIVER FAILURE, including portal-systemic shunts. Clinical features include lethargy and CONFUSION (frequently progressing to COMA); ASTERIXIS; NYSTAGMUS, PATHOLOGIC; brisk oculovestibular reflexes; decorticate and decerebrate posturing; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes (see REFLEX, BABINSKI). ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY may demonstrate triphasic waves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1117-20; Plum & Posner, Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed, p222-5)

Angle Closure Glaucoma -- A form of glaucoma in which the intraocular pressure increases because the angle of the anterior chamber is blocked and the aqueous humor cannot drain from the anterior chamber.

Ocular hypotony -- Abnormally low intraocular pressure often related to chronic inflammation (uveitis).

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.

The following US Branded drugs contain Methazolamide

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NEPTAZANE -- LEDERLE LABORATORIES DIV AMERICAN CYANAMID CO