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Indication & Dosage |
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| Oral |
| DRY MOUTH AFTER RADIOTHERAPY FOR MALIGNANT NEOPLASMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK |
| Adult:
Initial dose: 5 mg tid. If necessary, increase dose gradually after 4 wk until adequate response is achieved. Max dose: 10 mg tid. |
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| Oral |
| DRY EYE OR MOUTH IN SJOREN'S SYNDROME |
| Adult:
5 mg four times daily. Max dose: 30 mg daily. Stop treatment if no improvement after 3 mth. |
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| Ophthalmic |
| OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA |
| Adult:
As HCl or nitrate: instill a 0.5-4% soln into the eye qid. As modified-release preparation: insert preparation into the conjunctival sac which releases 20-40 mcg of pilcarpine/hr for 7 days. As 4%ophth gel: apply once nightly into the affected eye/s. |
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| Administration |
May be taken with or without food. |
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| Precautions |
Retinal detachment; corneal or conjunctival damage. Patients with cognitive or psychiatric disorders, renal impairment, biliary tract disorders. Prolonged use may lead to lens opacities. May impair ability to drive or operate machines. Lactation. |
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| Adverse Drug Reactions |
Ocular: Pain and irritation, blurred vision, lachrymation, browache, conjunctival vascular congestion, superficial keratitis, vitreous haemorrhage, increased pupillary block. |
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| Interactions |
Concomitant admin of 2 miotics may increase risk of toxic reactions. Aminoglycosides, clindamycin, colistin, cyclopropane and halogenated inhalational anaesthetics, quinine, procainamide, lithium and β-blockers may reduce the efficacy of pilacarpine. Concurrent use with β-blockers may lead to bradycardia. May prolong the action of suxamethonium. |
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