# Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
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**Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors** are eye drop medicines that are used to treat [[glaucoma]]
can also be used to treat [[seizures|epilepsy]]
## Mechanism of Action
These decrease the secretion of [[eyes|aqueous humor]] by inhibiting (you guessed it) carbonic anhydrase
• Acetazolamide- tablets (open) or IV (closed)
• Can also treat epilepsy, anoxia due to altitude
sickness.
• Side effect: fatigue, malaise, nausea
• Teach patient to not take after 6 PM due to
diuretic effect & monitor for dizziness
• Teach patient to monitor for anaphylaxis
• Dorzolamide eye solution for wide (open) angle
glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Also comes in a
solution mixed with timolol
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