Pilocarpine
About Pilocarpine
Pilocarpine is used to treat raised pressure in the eye in conditions such as open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is also used to prevent postoperative elevated IOP associated with laser surgery and the induction of miosis (constriction of the eye's pupil).
Pilocarpine contains Pilocarpine, a cholinergic agonist, which works by draining the excess fluid from the eye, thereby reducing pressure.
The common side effects of Pilocarpine are headache/brow ache, eye irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, and/or visual impairment. If the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not use Pilocarpine if you are allergic to any of its components. It should be used cautiously in children or adolescents under 18, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Pilocarpine may temporarily cause vision loss, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery unless you have clear vision.
Uses of Pilocarpine
Medicinal Benefits
- Pilocarpine lowers fluid buildup inside the eye by reducing fluid production and enhancing drainage.
- It helps protect the optic nerve from damage caused by high eye pressure.
- This medicine is effective in treating open-angle glaucoma by controlling eye pressure and preventing disease progression.
- It reduces abnormally high eye pressure even without glaucoma symptoms, lowering long-term risk.
- Pilocarpine lowers the chance of blindness, eye pain, and swelling due to uncontrolled eye pressure.
- By controlling pressure, it helps maintain clearer and more stable vision.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the number of drops advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Do not touch the tip of the dropper to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Pilocarpine
- Headache/brow ache
- Eye irritation
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision and/or visual impairment.
Drug Warnings
- Do not use Pilocarpine if you are allergic to any of its components.
- Pilocarpine should not be used in patients with a medical history of eye problems such as pre-existing retinal disease, cataracts (a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision), acute iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye) or anterior uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), and secondary glaucoma (have an identifiable cause of optic nerve damage).
- It should be used with caution in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
- Pilocarpine may temporarily cause vision loss, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience blurred vision.
- Consult your doctor if you develop any eye problems, such as irritation, redness, or dry eyes, eye infection, or if your condition worsens while using Pilocarpine.
- Let your doctor know if you are using any other medicines or have pre-existing medical conditions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Pilocarpine may interact with medicines used to treat allergies (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, and fexofenadine), a medicine used to treat myasthenia gravis (neostigmine), medicines that dilate the pupil (phenylephrine), medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease (orphenadrine, procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl), medicines used to treat serious mental disorders (chlorpromazine) and medicines used to treat high blood pressure (guanethidine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Pilocarpine should not be used in patients with a medical history of respiratory problems such as eye problems such as pre-existing retinal disease, cataracts (a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision), acute iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye) or anterior uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), and secondary glaucoma (have an identifiable cause of optic nerve damage).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafePilocarpine may interact with alcohol, so it is advised not to drink alcohol while using this medicine.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPregnancy category C. Pilocarpine should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed, when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPilocarpine should be used in breastfeeding mothers only if clinically needed when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionPilocarpine may cause temporary blurred vision, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedPilocarpine is probably safe when used in patients with liver diseases. In case you experience any difficulty, discuss it with your doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPilocarpine is probably safe when used in patients with kidney diseases. In case you experience any difficulty, discuss it with your doctor.
Children
cautionPilocarpine should be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age only if clinically needed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Visit an optician regularly to monitor your eye pressure.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with Pilocarpine as it can make you dehydrated and affect the eye pressure.
- Try to include heart-healthy, omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- A diet including green and leafy vegetables and fruits helps to lower eye pressure.
- Regular moderate exercise and appropriate rest are important for illness.
- Fruits and vegetables, which contain vitamins A and C, help to improve vision and recover from the disease.
Special Advise
- Do not wear contact lenses before using Pilocarpine for at least 10 minutes after using Pilocarpine.
- If you have had any eye disorders, your doctor may perform an eye examination before using Pilocarpine and during the treatment.
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Pilocarpine before undergoing any operation or surgery, as this medicine may interact with medications used during anaesthesia.
- Pilocarpine should be used only in the infected eye, and contact with the normal eye should be avoided.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Ocular hypertension: Ocular hypertension is a condition in which the eye's pressure is higher than normal due to poor drainage of the aqueous humour (fluid inside the eye). Essentially, this means that too much fluid enters the eye without being drained, causing high amounts of pressure to build up. The increased pressure can be due to certain other diseases, an injury, or an adverse effect of certain medications. If left untreated, it can lead to optic nerve damage and permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms of glaucoma initially except for the slow loss of vision. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely, glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance, or nausea.
FAQs
Pilocarpine is used to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is used to manage acute angle-closure glaucoma, the prevention of postoperative elevated IOP associated with laser surgery, and the induction of miosis (excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye).
Pilocarpine contains Pilocarpine. It reduces the eye's fluid production and increases the natural flow of fluid from inside the eye into the bloodstream. These effects help to decrease the pressure and swelling inside the eye. It helps to improve vision and prevent the complications of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
It is advised to remove your lenses before using Pilocarpine and wear them back 10 minutes after using Pilocarpine.
Pilocarpine should not be used simultaneously with other eye medications. However, if prescribed by the health care professional, you should at least maintain an interval of 10-15 minutes between the two eye medications.
Please do not stop taking Pilocarpine even if you feel better, as this may worsen your condition. For the best advice, consult your doctor and do as recommended.
Yes, Pilocarpine is good for glaucoma as it helps treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the number of drops advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
It is not known if Pilocarpine causes the growth of eyelashes. However, it is used to lower high pressure in the eye and is not indicated for eyelash growth. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
The common side-effects of Pilocarpine are headache/brow ache, accommodative change, eye irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, and/or visual impairment. Most of these side effects of Pilocarpine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
