Pilocar eye drops (Pilocarpine)
Pilocar eye drops is used in the form of eye drops to treat increased pressure in the eyes with or without visual problem (glaucoma) and to dilate the pupil of the eye. As a tablet, it is used to treat dry mouth following cancer radiotherapy of the head or neck and dry mouth and eyes seen in Sj?gren?s syndrome (disease in which the patient?s own immune system destroys the cells of salivary and tear glands).
How it works?
pilocar eye drops belongs to a class of drug called as cholinergic agonist that acts by increasing the activity of chemical acetylcholine, thereby, increasing the secretion from various glands including salivary glands and tear glands. Due to its cholinergic effect, it also constricts the pupil of the eye and improves the outflow of aqueous humor (fluid in within the eye) contributing to reduction in eyeball pressure.
Pilocarpine side effects
flushing, excessive secretion of tears, itching of skin, fatigue, blurred vision, indigestion, nausea, allergic reactions including rash, flu-like symptoms, sweating, runny nose, Headache, abdominal pain, chills, vomiting, high blood pressure, runny nose., pounding and fluttering sensation in the chest, constipation, pale red, irritation and redness of the whites of eyes, diarrhea, dizziness, raised itchy skin, increased urinary frequency, burning sensation around the eye, increased salivation, thumping, eye pain, weakness
Expert advice
• Inform your doctor if you have eye inflammation, suffer from asthma, liver, kidney or heart diseases, Parkinson?s disease, stomach ulcer, have problems in passing urine, high blood pressure, narrow angle glaucoma (increased eyeball pressure due to obstruction to the outflow of fluid).
• Drink sufficient water to reduce dehydration due to excessive sweating caused by pilocarpine.
• The back layer of your eye (fundus) may be examined before starting pilocar eye drops.
• You may be regularly monitored for visual fields and intra-ocular pressure on long term therapy with pilocarpine eye drops for glaucoma.
• Do not drive or operate machinery as pilocar eye drops causes dizziness and blurring of vision especially in the night.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
FAQs
Q. Is pilocarpine eye drops safe during pregnancy?
A: Pilocar eye drops should only be used if the potential benefits to the mother justify the potential risk to the baby. Please follow your doctor?s advice regarding its use.
Q. Is it safe to use pilocarpine eye drops during breastfeeding?
A: Use of pilocar eye drops during breastfeeding may be continued if potential benefit justifies the risk to the infant. Please follow your doctor?s advice regarding its use.
Q. Does pilocarpine eye drops increase or decrease heart rate?
A: Pilocarpine can decrease the heart rate. However, it does not increase the heart rate.
Q. Does pilocarpine eye drops cause weight gain/increase blood pressure?
A: Pilocarpine increases blood pressure. However, no clinically relevant effect on weight has been reported with the use of pilocarpine.
Q. Does pilocarpine help dry eyes?
A: Yes, pilocar eye drops helps dry eyes by increasing the production of tears.
Q. Does pilocarpine work?
A: Pilocar eye drops acts by increasing the activity of chemical acetylcholine, thereby, increasing the secretion from various glands including salivary glands and tear glands. Due to its cholinergic effect, it also constricts the pupil of the eye and improves the outflow of aqueous humor (fluid in within the eye) contributing to reduction in eyeball pressure.
Q. Does pilocarpine cause blurred vision/hair loss?
A: Yes, pilocar eye drops causes blurred vision. But it does not cause hair loss.
Q. How does pilocarpine eye drops affect heart rate?
A: Pilocar eye drops decreases heart rate by increasing the effect of a chemical called as acetylcholine.
Q. How does pilocarpine lower intraocular pressure?
A: Pilocarpine lowers intraocular pressure by constricting the ciliary muscle of the eyes, therefore increasing the outflow of fluid (aqueous humor) from posterior part of the eye.
