Details

Pilocarpine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye. Pilocarpine ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye). Pilocarpine can cause side effects that can make it harder for you to see at night or in low light. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Typical Uses

Pilocarpine is used alone or with other medications to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness, vision loss, and nerve damage. This medication may also be used during certain eye surgeries and to reverse the effects of drugs used to enlarge the pupil (e.g., during an eye exam). Pilocarpine works by causing the pupil of the eye to shrink and decreasing the amount of fluid within the eye.

Side Effects

Common side effects of pilocarpine include severe stinging, burning, swelling, or redness of your eye vision changes eye pain or increased watering or crusting or drainage around your eye.

Drug Interactions

• Pilocarpine+acrivastine- Acrivastine may reduce the effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes during treatment with these medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact.
• Pilocarpine+amitriptyline- Amitriptyline may reduce the effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes during treatment with these medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact.
• Pilocarpine+benztropine- Benztropine may reduce the effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes during treatment with these medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact.
• Pilocarpine+chlorpromazine- Chlorpromazine may reduce the effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes during treatment with these medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact.
• Pilocarpine+olanzapine- Olanzapine may reduce the effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes during treatment with these medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact.

Mechanism of action

Pilocarpine belongs to a class of drug called as cholinergic agonist that acts by increasing the activity of chemical acetylcholine, thereby, increasing the secretion from various glands including salivary glands and tear glands. Due to its cholinergic effect, it also constricts the pupil of the eye and improves the outflow of aqueous humour (fluid in within the eye) contributing to reduction in eyeball pressure.

Pregnancy Category : C