When your body makes too much fluid in the eye, brain, or kidneys, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, a type of medication that blocks an enzyme involved in fluid production. Also known as CAI, it helps lower pressure and reduce swelling by slowing down how fast your body produces bicarbonate and fluid. This isn’t a painkiller or an antibiotic—it works quietly behind the scenes to fix imbalances that other drugs can’t touch.
These drugs are most commonly used for glaucoma, a condition where fluid builds up in the eye and damages the optic nerve. If eye drops alone aren’t enough, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor like acetazolamide can be added to bring pressure down. They’re also used for altitude sickness, when your body struggles to adjust to thin air at high elevations. By changing how your blood pH works, these inhibitors help you breathe better and avoid headaches, nausea, or worse. In rare cases, they’re prescribed for certain types of seizures, especially those linked to metabolic issues, because they stabilize electrical activity in the brain.
You’ll find these drugs in different forms—pills, capsules, even eye drops. Acetazolamide is the most common one you’ll hear about, but others like dorzolamide and brinzolamide are used directly in the eye for glaucoma. They’re not for everyone. If you’re allergic to sulfa drugs, have kidney problems, or are severely dehydrated, your doctor will skip them. Side effects can include tingling in fingers, taste changes, or frequent urination, but most people tolerate them fine.
What you’ll find in the articles below isn’t just a list of drug names. You’ll see real comparisons: how carbonic anhydrase inhibitors stack up against other glaucoma treatments, why they’re sometimes used with diuretics, how they help climbers at high altitudes, and what alternatives exist when they don’t work. There’s also info on dosing, risks, and what to watch for if you’re taking them long-term. This isn’t theory—it’s what people actually use, what doctors recommend, and what works in real life.
Acetazolamide helps manage chronic respiratory acidosis by correcting the body's chemical imbalance, not by improving breathing. Learn how it works, when it's used, and what to watch for.