Pilocarpine Hydrochloride
About Pilocarpine Hydrochloride
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is prescribed to cure dry mouth symptoms resulting from hypofunction of the salivary glands brought on by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and to treat dry mouth symptoms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks moisture-producing glands, leading to chronic dry mouth and dry eyes, along with other possible symptoms like joint pain and fatigue. Radiation-induced dry mouth is a condition caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, where radiation damages salivary glands, reducing saliva production and causing persistent dry mouth (xerostomia).
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride contains Pilocarpine hydrochloride. It works by stimulating muscarinic receptors to increase saliva and tear production. It enhances secretion from exocrine glands, helping to relieve dry mouth and dry eyes. This helps treat dry eyes and dry mouth in Sjogren’s syndrome and radiation-induced dry mouth.
You are advised to take Pilocarpine Hydrochloride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Sometimes, you may experience common side effects like nausea, sweating, runny nose, diarrhoea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, heartburn, weakness, dizziness, headache, vomiting, stomach pain, swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Most of these symptoms resolve gradually on their own over time. However, consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
You should inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant before using Pilocarpine Hydrochloride. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if prescribed by your doctor. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride to prevent pregnancy. Avoid driving or operating machinery, as Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause dizziness. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is not recommended for children. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause interactions with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption during treatment with Pilocarpine Hydrochloride to prevent unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor if you have a pre-existing health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects or interactions.
Uses of Pilocarpine Hydrochloride
• Management of dry mouth caused due to radiation therapy: Pilocarpine Hydrochloride helps to provide relief from dry mouth symptoms by stimulating saliva production in patients who have undergone radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
• Treats Dry Mouth in Sjögren's Syndrome: Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is used to treat dry mouth symptoms in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the glands that produce tears and saliva.
Medicinal Benefits
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride belongs to the group of medications called parasympathomimetic agents. It contains Pilocarpine hydrochloride, which is used in the treatment of dry eyes and dry mouth in Sjogren’s syndrome and radiation-induced dry mouth. It works by stimulating muscarinic receptors to increase saliva and tear production. It enhances secretion from exocrine glands, helping to relieve dry mouth. This helps treat dry mouth in Sjögren’s syndrome and radiation-induced dry mouth.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pilocarpine Hydrochloride
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Chills
- Flushing
- Frequent urination
- Heartburn
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Drug Warnings
Do not take Pilocarpine Hydrochloride if you are allergic to Pilocarpine Hydrochloride or any of its components. Inform your doctor before taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride, if you have heart, lung, kidney, gallbladder, stomach, intestinal, eye, or mental health problems. Your doctor may need to examine your eyes before starting treatment with Pilocarpine Hydrochloride. Please inform your doctor if you haven't had an eye check-up recently. If you experience excessive sweating, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and contact your doctor if it persists. Do not use Pilocarpine Hydrochloride in children under 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you are taking beta-blockers, asthma medications, medicines for diarrhoea, or drugs affecting the nervous system or liver enzymes. Do not take Pilocarpine Hydrochloride during pregnancy unless prescribed by the doctor. Use effective contraception and consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a child, as this medicine may affect fertility. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause dizziness or vision problems, especially at night. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery unless you are fully alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may interact with medications such immunomodulators (ponesimod, siponimod), beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, nebivolol, timolol), bladder relaxants (flavoxate), antipsychotic drugs (clozapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause interactions with alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have hyperthyroidism, bronchospasm (breathing difficulties), heart problems, digestive or urinary blockage, Parkinsonism, seizures, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), cholelithiasis (gallstones), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and other pre-existing medical conditions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionPilocarpine Hydrochloride is known to cause interaction with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption while taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPilocarpine Hydrochloride should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. The importance of the medication to the mother should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to stop nursing or to stop taking pilocarpine hydrochloride tablets because many medications are excreted in human milk and because they can cause severe adverse reactions in nursing infants.
Driving
cautionPilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause dizziness. Therefore, do not drive or operate heavy machinery unless you are fully alert.
Liver
cautionPilocarpine Hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with moderate liver disorders, as dose adjustments are necessary. The doctor will start treatment with a lower dose and gradually increase it based on the patient’s response, under the doctor's supervision. No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild mild liver-impairment. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
consult your doctorLimited data is available on the use of Pilocarpine Hydrochloride in patients with kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, inform your doctor before using Pilocarpine Hydrochloride.
Children
unsafePilocarpine Hydrochloride should not be given to children under 12 years of age. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding its use on children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated by drinking water or herbal teas to prevent dehydration.
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free lozenges to help increase saliva production.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, as they can worsen dry mouth.
- Keep a humidifier in your room to maintain moisture in the air.
- Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops as your doctor recommends to keep your eyes moist.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to shield your eyes from wind and dry air.
- To support eye health, incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, such as from fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
- Include foods high in water content, such as cucumber, celery, oranges, and watermelon.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks moisture-producing glands. This leads to chronic dry mouth and eyes, along with possible symptoms like joint pain and fatigue.
Radiation-Induced Dry Mouth: A condition caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, where radiation damages the salivary glands, decreasing saliva production and causing persistent dry mouth (xerostomia).
FAQs
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride is prescribed to cure dry mouth symptoms resulting from hypofunction of the salivary glands brought on by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and to treat dry mouth symptoms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride belongs to the group of medications called parasympathomimetic agents. It contains Pilocarpine hydrochloride. It works by stimulating muscarinic receptors to increase saliva and tear production. It enhances secretion from exocrine glands, helping to relieve dry mouth and dry eyes. This helps treat dry eyes and dry mouth in Sjogren’s syndrome and radiation-induced dry mouth.
Do not stop taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride on your own without a doctor’s advice. To treat your condition effectively, continue taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride for as long as it has been prescribed for you.
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride may cause side effects such as nausea, sweating, runny nose, diarrhoea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, heartburn, weakness, dizziness, headache, vomiting, stomach pain, swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Most of these side effects resolve gradually over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult the doctor.
You should call your doctor if you experience a fast or slow heartbeat, changes in vision, or if you notice any unusual problems while taking Pilocarpine Hydrochloride.
