Pilocarpine Drug: Indication, Dosage, Precaution, Side Effect , Storage, Category Type and corresponding Brands - www.genericdrugscan.com

Pilocarpine

pronunciation

pronounced as (pye'' loe kar' peen)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Pilocarpine is used to treat dry mouth caused by radiotherapy in people with head and neck cancer and to treat dry mouth in people with Sjogren's syndrome (a condition that affects the immune system and causes dryness of certain parts of the body such as the eyes and mouth). Pilocarpine is in a class of medications called cholinergic agonists. It works by increasing the amount of saliva in the mouth.

How should this medicine be used?

Pilocarpine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. When pilocarpine is used to treat dry mouth caused by radiotherapy in people who have head and neck cancer, it is usually taken three times a day. When pilocarpine is used to treat dry mouth in people who have Sjogren's syndrome, it is usually taken four times a day. Take pilocarpine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pilocarpine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on an average dose of pilocarpine and adjust your dose depending on how well your symptoms are controlled and the side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with pilocarpine.

Pilocarpine will control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to take pilocarpine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pilocarpine without talking to your doctor.

What are the precautions to be followed?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pilocarpine (Pilopine HS, Salagen)or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: ambenonium (Mytelase); antihistamines; atropine (Motofen, in Lomotil, in Lonox); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); bethanechol (Urecholine); cevimeline (Evoxac); donepezil (Aricept); galantamine (Razadyne); ipratropium (Atrovent, in Combivent, in Duoneb); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; neostigmine (Prostigmin); physostigmine (Mestinon); rivastigmine (Exelon) and tacrine (Cognex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have asthma, acute iritis (uveitis; swelling and irritation inside the eye), or glaucoma (an eye disease).Your doctor may tell you not to take pilocarpine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had chronic bronchitis or another type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema); kidney stones; gallstones; mental illness; any condition that affects your ability to think; or gallbladder, heart, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pilocarpine, call your doctor.
• you should know that pilocarpine may cause decreased fertility in men and women. Talk to your doctor before you take pilocarpine if you or your partner would like to become pregnant.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking pilocarpine.
• you should know that pilocarpine may cause changes in vision, especially at night, or when there is not enough light. Be careful when driving at night, or when performing dangerous activities in low lighting.
• you should know that pilocarpine may cause you to sweat a great deal, which can cause dehydration.Be sure to drink plenty of water and call your doctor right away if you are having difficulty drinking enough fluid or if you think you may be dehydrated.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

• sweating
• nausea
• runny nose
• diarrhea
• chills
• flushing
• frequent urination
• dizziness
• weakness
• headache
• vomiting
• heartburn
• stomach pain
• swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• changes in vision
• fast or slow heartbeat

Pilocarpine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Drug Category/Class

• Parasympathomimetics
• Miotics
• Muscarinic Agonists
• Cholinergic Agents
• Antiglaucoma Preparations and Miotics
• CYP2A6 Inhibitors
• CYP2A6 Inhibitors (strong)
• CYP2A6 Inhibitors (moderate)
• CYP2A6 Inducers
• CYP2A6 Inducers (strong)
• CYP2E1 Inhibitors
• CYP2E1 Inducers
• CYP2E1 Inducers (strong)
• Nervous System
• Ophthalmologicals
• Sensory Organs
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors
• Other parasympathomi

Prescribed	For the treatment of radiation-induced dry mouth (xerostomia) and symptoms of dry mouth in patients with Sjögrens syndrome.
Weight :	208.2569
Structure	Pilocarpine
Formula	C11H16N2O2

Pilocarpine has 5 Brands listed

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