Pilocarpine is a muscarinic alkaloid obtained from the leaves of tropical American shrubs from the genus Pilocarpus.

Clinical Uses

This agent is used for treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma and has been used for this purpose for over 100 years. It is also used to treat dry mouth (xerostomia). Pilocarpine stimulates the secretion of large amounts of sweat and saliva. It may also cause hypertension and tachycardia due to its nicotinic actions on sympathetic ganglia and the adrenal medulla.

Pilocarpine is available under several trade names such as: Diocarpine (Dioptic), Isopto Carpine (Alcon), Miocarpine (CIBA Vision), Pilopine HS (Alcon), Salagen (Pharmacia & Upjohn), Scheinpharm Pilocarpine (Schein Pharmaceutical), and Timpilo (Merck Frosst).

Sources

• Brenner, G. M. (2000). Pharmacology. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-7757-6
• Canadian Pharmacists Association (2000). Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (25th ed.). Toronto, ON: Webcom. ISBN 0-919115-76-4