carbonic anhydrase inhibitors


carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

A class of drug that act by blocking the action of the enzyme CARBONIC ANHYDRASE. This enzyme greatly speeds up the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid, a compound needed for the production of many of the body's secretions. Carbonic anhydrase is present in high concentration in the eye, the kidneys, stomach lining and pancreas. Inhibitor drugs reduce the rate of secretion of aqueous humour in the eye and is useful in treating GLAUCOMA. These drugs are also valuable in treating mountain sickness, periodic paralysis and absence attacks (petit mal). The group includes ACETAZOLAMIDE and DORZOLAMIDE.

carbonic anhydrase inhibitors 

Drugs which inhibit the carbonic anhydrase enzyme in the ciliary epithelium of the ciliary body. This enzyme is essential for the formation of aqueous humour; its reduction results in a decrease in intraocular pressure. Those in use are sulfonamide derivatives. They are administered systemically (e.g. acetazolamide) or topically in the treatment of glaucoma. Examples: acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide.