Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme that causes the formation of carbonic acid from carbon dioxide and water in the blood. When the enzyme is inhibited, as by one of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drugs, carbonic aid is not formed in any considerable amount. Carbonic acid is needed to have a supply of the bicarbonate ion in the blood. Because the bicarbonate ion ordinarily combines with sodium and assists in its reabsorption into the blood stream, in the absence of this ion, sodium is excreted in excessive amounts and is accompanied by water to increase the urine volume. 2
The primary indication for use of CA inhibitors is to inhibit production of aqueous humor and reduce intraocular pressure. In veterinary medicine these drugs are used to manage acute glaucoma in dogs and cats.
In human medicine, CA inhibitors have been used as an adjunctive therapy for epilepsy and in management of acute mountain sickness. In both human and veterinary medicine, the use of CA inhibitors as diuretics has limited effectiveness due to the rapid development of tolerance. 3
References:
REF FILE 324-DAC
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