Azopt side effects

[Mandeville]

I'm using azopt eye drops and have developed over weeks upper and side back ache has anyone else had this?

[Hidden]

I've had this and other side effects from azopt but tolerated it better than most glaucoma meds.

Azopt is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. This class of medications can cause electrolyte imbalances, which in turn can lead to muscle pain.

I'm no medical expert, so it's probably worth a chat with your eye doc or pharmacist.

[Mandeville in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply I thought I was tolerating these drops well but the side ache is at the moment difficult to cope with. I've got an eye check up next week.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator in reply to Mandeville]

Hi. All drops have side effects unfortunately and Azopt although they are noted as uncommon side effects, can cause back pain, muscle spasm and painful muscles. As you are experiencing these, definitely do check with your consultant next week to see if the Azopt can be changed to a different drop. If you would prefer not to wait until next week, give the eye secretary a call to give your consultant a message, to see if they can change your eye drop. I hope this is of some help to you.

[Mandeville in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you for your reply and for the information much appreciated.

[Mandeville in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

How long do you think it takes for the effects of azopt eye drops to get out if your system, I've been taking it for 3 months or more?

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

I can't be sure but would guess at about 5 to 7 days, could be sooner. If your symptoms don't clear afterwards, when you have started on a different drop, bear in mind it could be something else causing your backache.

[Hidden]

I was on Azopt for 4 months and had a lot of muscle pain, especially waking up in the morning. I stopped using it 3 days ago and the pain has gone. On the plus side I did find it a lot easier to administer than other drops.

[Mandeville in reply to Hidden]

I told my eye specialist about the aches and pains and that I wasn't taking the drops, he dismissed my comments saying it can't make you ache as it doesn't stay in your system more than 6 hrs. Not sure that I believe that. Currently not on anything waiting to see how my pressures are next week.

[Hidden in reply to Mandeville]

I definitely think it does ay but a lot of the other drops have side effects also. They are nowhere near as bad as Diamox which I was on 4 a day at one point it's so horribly draining. The way I look at it is that everything has a price and the price of not taking your drops is 100x worse than the side effects IMO. Perhaps a weekly massage or a spa/sauna or a bit of acupuncture could help...