Page 101 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general
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Internally:
1. Pilocarpine is used to stimulate sweat and salivary glands. So, it is used as
diaphoretic in the treatment of nephritis.
2. 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 muscarinic receptor agonist:
Excessive sweating
Excessive salivation
Bronchospasm.
Increased bronchial mucus secretion.
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