Zophtal Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme which is found in many tissues of the body including the eye. It catalyzes the reversible reaction involving the hydration of carbon dioxide and the dehydration of carbonic acid. In humans, carbonic anhydrase exists as a number of isoenzymes, the most active being carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II), found primarily in red blood cells (RBCs), but also in other tissues. Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary processes of the eye decreases aqueous humor secretion, presumably by slowing the formation of bicarbonate ions with subsequent reduction in sodium and fluid transport. The result is a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP).
Brinzolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase II (CAII). Following topical ocular administration, Brinzolamide inhibits aqueous humor formation and reduces elevated intraocular pressure. Elevated intraocular pressure is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of optic nerve damage and glaucomatous visual field loss.
Following topical ocular administration, Brinzolamide is absorbed into the systemic circulation. Due to its affinity for CA-II, Brinzolamide distributes extensively into the RBCs and exhibits a long half-life in whole blood (approximately 111 days). In humans, the metabolite N-desethyl Brinzolamide is formed, which also binds to CA and accumulates in RBCs. This metabolite binds mainly to CA-I in the presence of Brinzolamide. In plasma, both parent Brinzolamide and N-desethyl Brinzolamide concentrations are low and generally below assay quantitation limits (< 10 ng/mL). Binding to plasma proteins is approximately 60%. Brinzolamide is eliminated predominantly in the urine as unchanged drug. N-Desethyl Brinzolamide is also found in the urine along with lower concentrations of the N-desmethoxypropyl and O-desmethyl metabolites.
Oral pharmacokinetic study was conducted in which healthy volunteers received 1 mg capsules of Brinzolamide twice per day for up to 32 weeks. This regimen approximates the amount of drug delivered by topical ocular administration of Brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1% dosed to both eyes three times per day and simulates systemic drug and metabolite concentrations similar to those achieved with long-term topical dosing. RBC CA activity was measured to assess the degree of systemic CA inhibition. Brinzolamide saturation of RBCCA-II was achieved within 4 weeks (RBC concentrations of approximately 20 (μM). N-Desethyl Brinzolamide accumulated in RBCs to steady-state within 20-28 weeks reaching concentrations of 20 (μM). N-Desethyl Brinzolamide accumulated in RBCs to steady-state within 20-28 weeks reaching concentrations ranging from 6-30. The inhibition of CA-II activity at steady-state was approximately 70-75%, which is below the degree of inhibition expected to have a pharmacological effect on renal function or respiration in healthy subjects.
In a clinical study brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1% dosed three times per day (TID) in patient with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), produced significant reductions in IOPs (4-5 mmHg). These IOP reductions are equivalent to the reductions observed with Dorzolamide Hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2% dosed TID in the same studies.
In clinical study patient with elevated intraocular pressure, Brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1% was associated with less stinging and burning upon instillation than Dorzolamide Hydrochloride 2% ophthalmic solution.