A 65-year-old patient with POAG on latanoprost, dorzolamide, and timolol has progressive visual field loss. The physician considers adding brinzolamide. Brinzolamide belongs to which drug class and lowers IOP through what mechanism?

• A Prostaglandin analogue; increases uveoscleral outflow
• B Alpha-2 agonist; reduces aqueous production and increases outflow
• C Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor; reduces aqueous production ✓
• D Beta-blocker; reduces aqueous production

Explanation

Brinzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that lowers IOP by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary epithelium, thereby reducing aqueous humour production. It is used as adjunctive therapy. Dorzolamide is another topical CAI. The key distinguishing feature is the mechanism of reduced aqueous production via CA inhibition.

Reference: Katzung BG, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.