PILOCARPINE

Brand & Generic Names

Adsorbocarpine	Pilocar
Akarpine	Pilokair
Almocarpine	Pilopine HS
I-Pilocarpine	Piloptic
Isopto Carpine	Pilostat
Minims Pilocarpine	P.V. Carpine
Miocarpine	P.V. Carpine Liquifilm
Ocu-Carpine	Spectro-Pilo
Ocusert Pilo	Spersacarpine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? U.S.: Yes Canada: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antiglaucoma

Uses

Treatment for glaucoma.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Drops--Apply to eyes. Close eyes for 1 or 2 minutes to absorb medicine.
Eye system--Follow label directions.
Gel--Follow label directions.

When to use:
As directed on label.

If you forget a dose:
Apply as soon as possible and return to prescribed schedule. Don't double dose.

What drug does:
Reduces internal eye pressure.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
If swallowed--Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, forceful urination, profuse sweating, rapid pulse, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Pain, blurred or altered vision.

Infrequent:

• Headache, eye irritation or twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, muscle tremors.
• Profuse sweating, unusual saliva flow.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to pilocarpine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you take sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, narcotics or mind-altering drugs.
• If you have asthma.
• If you have conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• You may develop tolerance for drug, making it ineffective.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations to check eye pressure.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Doctor may discontinue and substitute another drug to keep treatment effective.

Others:

• Can provoke asthma attack in susceptible individuals.
• Drops may impair vision for 2 to 3 hours.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Belladonna (ophthalmic)	Decreased pilocarpine effect.
Cyclopentolate	Decreased pilocarpine effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May prolong alcohol's effect on
	brain.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased pilocarpine effect.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana (if prescribed):	Used once or twice weekly--May help
	lower internal eye pressure.
Tobacco:	None expected.