Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs)
- Cause bicarbonate loss + mild diuresis
- Acetazolamide: altitude, glaucoma, IIH
- Topiramate has partial CA inhibition too
- Metabolic acidosis + hypokalemia possible
- Kidney-stone risk rises
- Paresthesias are common with acetazolamide
- Can substantially lower lithium levels
Class at a glance
- Cause bicarbonate loss + mild diuresis
Members / distinctions
- Acetazolamide: altitude, glaucoma, IIH
Pharmacology
- Topiramate has partial CA inhibition too
Other member distinctions
- Metabolic acidosis + hypokalemia possible
- Paresthesias are common with acetazolamide
- Can substantially lower lithium levels
Safety / monitoring
Self-check
- Which drug has partial carbonic-anhydrase inhibition?
Topiramate.
- What metabolic problems can CA inhibition cause?
Metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia.
Drugs in this class (5)
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