Pilocarpine

Indications

• glaucoma

• xerostomia

• antidote

  • scopolamine

  • atropine

  • hyoscyamine

Administration/Absorption

Distribution

Mechanism

• parasympathomimetic alkaloid obtained from the leaves of tropical American shrubs from the genus Pilocarpus.

• Non-selective muscarinic receptor agonist^[1]

  • acts therapeutically at the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3

    • found on the iris sphincter muscle

      • => miosis

  • also acts on the ciliary muscle

    • Causes it to contract

    • => opens the trabecular meshwork through increased tension on the scleral spur

    • Facilitates the rate that aqueous humor leaves the eye to decrease intraocular pressure

Excretion