Page 102 - phytochemistry general program

In ophthalmology: .1
It reduces the possibility of glare at night from lights, after refractive surgery and .2

after intraocular lenses implantation. .3
It acts on a subtype of muscarinic receptor found on the iris sphincter muscle,
causing the muscle to contract and produce miosis; thus treating acute angle-

closure glaucoma.
It also acts on the ciliary muscle, causing widening of the trabecular meshwork
spaces. This action facilitates aqueous humor drainage to decrease intraocular

pressure. Thus, treating chronic open-angle glaucoma (chronic simple
glaucoma).

Internally: .1
Pilocarpine is used to stimulate sweat and salivary glands. So, it is used as
.2
diaphoretic in the treatment of nephritis.
Pilocarpine is sometimes taken orally (5mg) or subcutaneous to stimulate the
secretion of saliva for patient suffering from dry mouth (xerostomia), as a side

effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

Adverse effects:

The adverse effects of pilocarpine is mainly related to its non-selective action as a .1
muscarinic receptor agonist:
Excessive sweating
Excessive salivation
Bronchospasm.

Increased bronchial mucus secretion.

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