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Pilocarpine  (Ophthalmic)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Adsorbocarpine
  • Akarpine
  • Isopto Carpine
  • Ocu-Carpine
  • Ocusert Pilo-20
  • Ocusert Pilo-40
  • Pilagan
  • Pilocar
  • Pilopine HS
  • Piloptic-½
  • Piloptic-1
  • Piloptic-2
  • Piloptic-3
  • Piloptic-4
  • Piloptic-6
  • Pilostat

In Canada—

  • Isopto Carpine
  • Minims Pilocarpine
  • Miocarpine
  • Ocusert Pilo-20
  • Ocusert Pilo-40
  • Pilopine HS
  • Pilostat
  • P.V. Carpine Liquifilm
  • Spersacarpine

Category


Description

Pilocarpine (pye-loe-KAR-peen ) is used to treat glaucoma and other eye conditions.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pilocarpine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pilocarpine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Ophthalmic pilocarpine may be absorbed into the body. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—Ophthalmic pilocarpine may be absorbed into the body. However, it is not known whether pilocarpine passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups, pilocarpine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Although there is no specific information comparing use of pilocarpine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pilocarpine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

To use the eye drop form of pilocarpine:

To use the eye gel form of pilocarpine:

To use the eye insert form of pilocarpine:

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.

Dosing—

The dose of ophthalmic pilocarpine will be different for different patients. Follow the doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ophthalmic pilocarpine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using ophthalmic pilocarpine.

Missed dose—

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Your doctor should check your eye pressure at regular visits.

For patients using the eye drop or gel form of this medicine:

For patients using the eye insert form of this medicine:


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.



Revised: 06/21/1995

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