Acetazolamide Capsules and Imiquimod

• Generic Name: acetazolamide
• Dosage Forms: capsule, extended release
• Other Brand Names: Diamox, Diamox Sequels

Acetazolamide reduces the activity of a protein in your body called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this protein can help reduce the build-up of certain fluids in the body.

Acetazolamide is used in people with certain types of glaucoma to reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.

Acetazolamide is also used as a diuretic ("water pill") in people with congestive heart failure, to reduce the build-up of fluid in the body. This build-up is called edema.

Acetazolamide is also used to treat certain types of seizures, and to treat or prevent altitude sickness.

Acetazolamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: imiquimod topical
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Aldara, Zyclara, Zyclara Pump

Topical treatment of clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratosis on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults.

Topical treatment of biopsy-confirmed, primary superficial basal cell carcinoma in immunocompetent adults. Safety and efficacy not established for other types of basal cell carcinoma, including nodular and morpheaform (fibrosing or sclerosing) types.

Use only when superficial basal cell carcinoma tumor diameter is ≤2 cm and is located on the trunk (excluding anogenital skin), neck, or extremities (excluding hands and feet).

Use only when surgical methods are medically less appropriate and patient follow-up can be reasonably assured.

Treatment of external genital and perianal exophytic warts (condylomata acuminata) caused by HPV in adults and adolescents ≥12 years of age.

CDC and others recommend that external HPV warts be treated with a self-administered topical therapy (imiquimod, podofilox), a topical therapy administered by a health-care provider (podophyllum resin, trichloroacetic acid [TCA], bichloroacetic acid [BCA]), or a surgical technique (cryotherapy, electrosurgery, surgical excision). Alternative therapies include intralesional interferon alfa or laser surgery.

A preferred treatment regimen for external genital HPV warts in HIV-infected adults and adolescents; data are limited regarding the response rate in HIV-infected patients compared with those without HIV infection. An alternative treatment regimen for external HPV warts in HIV-infected children; topical therapies often are ineffective in such children and a surgical technique (cryotherapy, electrosurgery) usually is preferred.

Primary goal is destruction or clearance of visible, symptomatic warts. No regimen has been shown to eradicate HPV or affect natural history of HPV infection; effect on transmission of HPV unknown.

Should not be used to treat subclinical genital HPV infection (without exophytic warts).

Safety and efficacy for treatment of urethral, intravaginal, cervical, rectal, or anal HPV warts not established. Some clinicians suggest use of topical imiquimod for treatment of distal meatal HPV warts, but data are limited.

Has been effective in a limited number of children, adolescents, and adults for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, but safety and efficacy not established.

Clinical studies in children 2–12 years of age with molluscum contagiosum indicate imiquimod is no more effective than placebo.