carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
any of a group of drugs that interfere with the action of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the body. Although their primary role was originally as diuretics, via their ability to block reabsorption of sodium bicarbonate from the proximal renal tubule, thus improving urine excretion and electrolyte balance, their use has been supplanted by less toxic diuretics. At present, acetazolamide (the prototype; U.S. trade name: Diamox) and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used primarily for the management of glaucoma and acute mountain sickness. The drugs are also used as adjunctive agents in the management of epilepsy. Acetazolamide inhibits epileptic seizures and decreases the rate of cerebrospinal fluid formation.