Pilocarpine is an eye drop on an alkaloid base, widely used to reduce intraocular pressure and in the treatment of glaucoma.
The mechanism of action of Pilocarpine is due to the fact that it causes a reduction in the ciliary muscle and circular muscle of the iris due to the stimulating effect on M-cholinergic receptors. This effect is accompanied by an improvement in the outflow of the intraocular fluid and the narrowing of the pupil. As a result, metabolic processes in the eye tissues improve, and intraocular pressure decreases.
Composition and form of release
The drug is available as a 1% solution, in plastic bottles with a dropper, volume 10 or 5 ml.
The composition of the eye drops includes:
- pilocarpine hydrochloride (10 mg per 1 ml of solution, the main active substance);
- boric acid;
- water for injections.
Analogues of Pilocarpine are such drugs:
- Salazon;
- Oftan Pilocarpine;
- Pilocarpine-Dia;
- Pilocarpine-Long;
- Pilocarpine-Ferein.
Pilocarpine - indications for use
Pilocarpine drops are used in the treatment of:
- acute attacks of angle-closure glaucoma;
- primary and chronic open-angle glaucoma;
- with chronic closed-angle glaucoma (before surgery);
- secondary glaucoma, which developed as a result of hemorrhage into the vitreous;
- retinal vein thrombosis;
- atrophy of the optic nerve ;
- pigmentary degeneration of the retina.
Also, the drug is used to narrow the pupils with an overdose of mydriatic, with diagnostic purposes and during some surgical interventions.
Instructions for the use of eye drops Pilocarpine
The frequency of application and the dose of the drug is usually determined by the doctor.
Most often, with primary glaucoma, the drug is instilled in 1-2 drops three times a day. In the treatment of an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma, the frequency of instillation varies from once every 15 minutes in the first hour, up to 3-6 times a day thereafter, until the attack is stopped.
Usually, the droplets of Pilocarpine are started 30-40 minutes after application, and the maximum effect is achieved after 1.5-2 hours. The drug easily penetrates the cornea and
Contraindications for the use of these drops include individual hypersensitivity to any of the components, eye diseases and postoperative conditions in which the narrowing of the pupil is undesirable:
- keratitis;
- irit;
- iridocyclitis .
Caution requires the use of pilocarpine in patients with a high degree of myopia and retinal detachment. When pregnant, instill this remedy is not recommended.