Diamox is a brand name for the medication acetazolamide; it belongs to a class of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The National Instutues of Health explains on their website, Medline Plus, that this medication is used to treat an eye condition called glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure within the eye becomes elevated to dangerous levels and can result in blindness if not treated. Other medications may be used instead of acetazolamide to help decrease pressure within the eye.
Dorzolamide Ophthalmic Eye Drops
The brand name for this medication is Trusopt; the Glaucoma Research Foundation lists this drug as another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that may be used to treat glaucoma. It works by decreasing the amount of intraocular, or within-the-eye, fluid that is produced, which results in lowering the pressure within the eye. Unlike Diamox, which is taken as a pill, by mouth, Dorzolamide, or Trusopt, is an eyedrop form of medication; patients often apply the drops three times daily to treat their glaucoma. Side effects that relate directly to the eye include a burning or stinging sensation in the eye as well as increased sensitivity to light. Because the tear ducts of the eye connect with the throat, patients may experience a strange or bitter taste after inserting the drops. This is a temporary effect that should only last a short time. Finally, patients may feel nauseous or even vomit as a side effect of this medication.
Metipranolol Ophthalmic Eye Drops
Metipranolol, brand name Optipranolol, belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers. This class is named for its mechanism of action: all drugs within this category work by blocking certain types of cell receptors in the body called beta receptors. The ophthalmic, or eye-related, formulation of this beta-blocker is used to treat glaucoma; Medline Plus explains that it works by decreasing the amount of fluid that is produced within the eye, thus decreasing the pressure in patients with glaucoma. Similarly to Trusopt, this medication is given in the form of eye drops, taken twice a day. Side effects include blurry vision just after applying the drops, stinging in the eye, and light sensitivity. However, because there are beta receptors all over the body, including the heart and lungs, certain side effects may occur in other parts of the body. A rash on the skin, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or fainting are some of the side effects that may occur due to the beta blocker working in other parts of the body. In these cases, the patient should stop taking the medication and contact his physician; the physician may suggest treatment with another glaucoma medication instead of continuing to use metipranolol ophthalmic.
Apraclonidine Ophthalmic Eye Drops
Iopidine is the brand name for apraclonidine ophthalmic drops, which come in two concentrations: 0.5% and 1%. Medline Plus explains that the Apraclonidine HCI 0.5% is used as a temporary treatment in patients with glaucoma. It belongs to a class of drugs known as "alpha agonists" because they bind to the cell receptor known as the alpha receptor. Iopidine, at the 0.5% concentration, is used when a glaucoma patient has been on medications for glaucoma but continues to have elevated eye pressures. However, it is not meant to be a long-term treatment for glaucoma because after just a few weeks of using the medication, it may not be as effective in decreasing the level of eye pressure. Similarly to the other medications available for glaucoma, Iopidine decreases eye pressure by decreasing the amount of fluid that is produced by the eye; it also increases the amount of fluid that is drained. These two mechanisms combine to reduce intraocular pressure, albeit only temporarily. The Glaucoma Research Foundation lists some of the main effects this drug may cause; they include dry nose and mouth, burning or stinging when drops are put in the eye, fatigue and headaches. The Medline Plus website expands on this list and includes blurry vision, weakness and nausea and vomiting as possible effects. In addition, serious side effects that may occur include swelling of the hands and feet, shortness of breath or fainting; these effects should prompt the patient to call for immediate medical help.
