Effect
Carboanhydrase inhibitors act in the kidney on a molecular transporter (carboanhydrase), which normally excretes hydrogen and thus couples to sodium bicarbonate. When this hydrogen excretion is inhibited, the bicarbonate bond is reduced and thus water reabsorption is reduced. Carboanhydrase inhibitors thus have a dehydrating effect and thus secondarily reduce the aqueous humor production of the eye, which results in a reduced intraocular pressure.
Fields of application
Due to the reduction of intraocular pressure in the eye, carboanhydrase inhibitors in ophthalmology have their application in glaucoma treatment. The following substances are used here: Brinzolamide (Azopt), Dorzolamide (Trusopt). These eye drops should be used 2-3 times a day. Trusopt not only has a reducing effect on the aqueous humour but also stimulates the blood flow to the optic nerve. The washout time is less than one week.
Side effects
Allergies are rarely described, but must be feared in isolated cases. Furthermore, one must expect increased hair growth and inform the patient accordingly. In road traffic, the ability to react may be temporarily reduced.
Contraindications
Carboanhydrase inhibitors should not be used in the case of known kidney impairment or disturbance of the mineral and water balance as well as in the case of an allergy to sulfonamides. In nursing patients, treatment with carboanhydrase inhibitors should only be considered after weaning.
