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General Medication Fact Sheet for Pilocarpine
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Generic Name | Pilocarpine |
| Brand Name Versions | Salagen, Isopto Carpine |
| Purpose | Treats dry mouth (xerostomia) and glaucoma |
| Mechanism of Action | Stimulates cholinergic receptors, increasing saliva production and decreasing intraocular pressure |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets, eye drops |
| Available Strengths | 5 mg, 7.5 mg (tablets); 1%, 2%, 4% (eye drops) |
| Dosage Frequency | Tablets: Typically three times daily; Eye drops: As directed by a doctor, usually several times daily |
| Common Side Effects | Sweating, nausea, increased urination, diarrhea, blurred vision (with eye drops) |
| Serious Side Effects | Difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, slow heartbeat, mental/mood changes |
| Drug Interactions | Beta-blockers, anticholinergics (e.g., atropine), other cholinergic agonists |
| Important Notes | Take with food to reduce nausea; use caution when driving or operating machinery due to potential vision changes. |
| Storage | Store tablets at room temperature away from moisture and light; store eye drops as directed. |
| Missed Dose | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. |
| Alternatives | Cevimeline (Evoxac), Artificial saliva (for dry mouth), Latanoprost (Xalatan), Timolol (for glaucoma) |
Pilocarpine Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cevimeline (Evoxac) | Cholinergic agonist, stimulates saliva production. | Used for dry mouth, similar to pilocarpine. |
| Artificial saliva | Lubricates the mouth. | Over-the-counter option for dry mouth relief. |
| Latanoprost (Xalatan) | Prostaglandin analog, increases outflow of fluid from the eye. | Used to treat glaucoma. |
| Timolol | Beta-adrenergic antagonist, reduces production of fluid in the eye. | Used to treat glaucoma. |
Pilocarpine Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Sweating | Difficulty breathing |
| Nausea | Severe abdominal pain |
| Increased urination | Slow heartbeat |
| Diarrhea | Mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression) |
| Blurred vision (eye drops) | Seizures |
Pilocarpine Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) | 5 mg | 5-10 mg three times daily | Take with food to minimize nausea. |
| Glaucoma (Eye Drops) | 1 drop of 1-4% solution | 1 drop of 1-4% solution up to four times daily | Administer as directed by your doctor. Wait 5 minutes between each eye drop medication. |
Pilocarpine Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $15 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $30 – $120 |
| From CPS | $66.95 |
