$Unique_ID{BRK02097}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PILOCARPINE (OPHTHALMIC)}
$Subject{Adsorbocarpine (Alcon)
Akarpine (Akorn)
Isopto Carpine (Alcon)
Ocusert Pilo-20 (Alza)
Ocusert Pilo-40 (Alza)
Pilocar (Iolab Pharm.)
pilocarpine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PILOCARPINE (OPHTHALMIC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Adsorbocarpine (Alcon)
     Akarpine (Akorn)
     Isopto Carpine (Alcon)
     Ocusert Pilo-20 (Alza)
     Ocusert Pilo-40 (Alza)
     Pilocar (Iolab Pharm.)
     pilocarpine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antiglaucoma ophthalmic solution
INGREDIENT:
     pilocarpine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Ophthalmic drops (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 8%, and 10%)
     Ocular therapeutic system (oval ring of plastic that contains
       pilocarpine.  The ring is placed in the eye, and the drug is released
       gradually over a period of seven days.)
STORAGE:
     Pilocarpine eye drops should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed container.  This medication should never be frozen.  If it
       discolors or turns brown, it should be discarded.  A color change
       signifies a loss of potency.
     The ocular therapeutic system form of this medication should be stored in
       the refrigerator in its original container.

USES

     Pilocarpine (ophthalmic) is used to reduce the increased pressure in the
eye caused by glaucoma or other eye conditions.  When pilocarpine is applied
to the eye, it constricts the pupil and increases the flow of fluid (aqueous
humor) out of the eye, thereby reducing the pressure.

TREATMENT

     Wash your hands with soap and water before applying this medication.  In
order to avoid contamination of the eye drops, be careful not to touch the
tube portion of the dropper or let it touch your eye; DO NOT wipe off or rinse
the dropper after you use it.
     To apply the eye drops, tilt your head back and pull down your lower
eyelid with one hand to make a pouch below the eye.  Drop the prescribed
amount of medicine into this pouch and slowly close your eyes.  Try not to
blink.  Keep your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the eye
next to your nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (to prevent
loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the
eye into the nose and throat).  Wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.  If
you think the medicine did not get into the eye, repeat the process once.
Since the drops are somewhat difficult to apply, you may want someone to apply
them for you.
     If more than one type of eye drop has been prescribed, wait at least five
minutes after instilling pilocarpine before using any other eye medicine (this
is done in order to give the pilocarpine a chance to work).
     The ocular therapeutic system comes packaged with detailed instructions
for insertion and removal.  Follow these directions carefully.  Damaged or
deformed ocular therapeutic systems should not be placed or retained in the
eye.  Use a new system instead.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose.  In that case, do not
apply the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, browache, headache, or twitching of the eyelids.  These
side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
diarrhea, difficult or painful urination, flushing, muscle tremors, nausea,
nearsightedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, or
sweating.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication should not interact with other drugs as long as it is
applied according to directions.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to pilocarpine.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma,
epilepsy, heart disease, peptic ulcers, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease,
or blockage of the urinary tract.
     * This drug can cause difficulty in adjusting to low light levels.
Caution should be exercised during night driving and while performing
hazardous tasks in poor light.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
drug during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans, but small
amounts of pilocarpine may be absorbed into the bloodstream.  Also, tell your
doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of pilocarpine may
pass into breast milk.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
