Here is a complete and detailed overview of Pilocarpine Eye Drops 4%:
✅ DESCRIPTION
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride 4% Ophthalmic Solution is a cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) agent used to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in various forms of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It induces miosis (pupil constriction) and facilitates aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork.
🧪 FORMULATION
- Active Ingredient:
- Pilocarpine Hydrochloride 4% (40 mg/mL)
- Preservative:
- Benzalkonium chloride (typically 0.01%)
- Other Excipients:
- Sodium chloride
- Purified water
- pH adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide
- Form: Sterile ophthalmic solution
🌿 NATURE
- Type: Direct-acting miotic agent / muscarinic receptor agonist
- Pharmacological Class: Parasympathomimetic (cholinergic)
- Mechanism of Action:
Stimulates muscarinic receptors in the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle → causes miosis and accommodation → opens the trabecular meshwork → enhances aqueous humor drainage → reduces IOP
💊 USES
Main Indications:
- Open-angle glaucoma
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma (initial treatment before surgery)
- Ocular hypertension
- Post-mydriatic treatment (to reverse pupil dilation)
- Other off-label: Neurologic pupil abnormalities (e.g., Adie’s pupil)
🌟 ADVANTAGES
- Effective IOP-lowering agent
- Fast onset of action – useful in acute glaucoma
- Can be combined with other antiglaucoma medications
- Helpful for breaking pupillary block in angle-closure cases
- Available in multiple strengths (1%, 2%, 4%) depending on clinical need
⚠️ PRECAUTIONS
- Common Side Effects:
- Blurred vision (especially in dim light)
- Brow ache, eye pain, headache
- Eye irritation or burning
- Increased tearing
- Conjunctival hyperemia
- Serious or Rare Effects:
- Retinal detachment (rare but serious)
- Induced myopia (temporary)
- Systemic cholinergic effects: sweating, salivation, nausea (rare)
- Use with caution in:
- Patients with retinal detachment history
- Uveitis or eye inflammation
- Asthma, peptic ulcer, cardiac conditions
- Night drivers (due to reduced pupil size and low-light vision)
- Contact Lens Users:
Remove lenses before use. Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting.
🧊 STORAGE
- Store at: 15°C to 25°C (room temperature)
- Protect from light and moisture
- Keep bottle tightly closed
- Do not freeze
- Discard 30 days after opening
- Keep out of reach of children