'acetazolamide' originates from the combination of 'acet-' referring to acetic acid, 'azo-' indicating the presence of a nitrogen group, and 'amide' referring to a chemical compound derived from ammonia.

'acetazolamide' was developed in the mid-20th century as a diuretic and has since been used for various medical conditions.

Initially, it was used primarily as a diuretic, but over time its use expanded to include treatment for glaucoma and other conditions.