How does it work?

Pilocarpine belongs to a class of medicines known as miotics. It acts on receptors in the circular muscle of the iris (the coloured part of the eye) to reduce the size of the pupil. When the pupil constricts, the iris is pulled away from the drainage channels of the eye (trabecular meshwork). This improves the drainage of the fluid that is normally found within the eye. Hypromellose acts as a lubricant and thereby soothes irritated eye. Pilocarpine with hypromellose is used in the treatment of glaucoma. This is a condition where the fluid drainage from the eye is impaired, resulting in fluid build-up and increased pressure in the eye. Pilocarpine is used as an eye drop so that it can act directly where it is needed.

What is it used for?

Glaucoma

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

You should not wear soft contact lenses while you are using this medicine. This it because the medicine contains a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation.

Use with caution in

Asthma

Certain diseases of the eye

Dark coloured eyes (greater amount of medication may need to be used)

Heart disease

High blood pressure

Obstruction of the urinary tract (urethra)

Parkinson's disease

Peptic ulcer

Not to be used in

Children

Glaucoma caused by another disease of the eye

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

Sudden inflammation of the front of the eye

Sudden inflammation of the iris of the eye (acute iritis)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.

There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Blurred vision

Headache across the forehead (browache)

Congestion of the blood vessels in the lining (conjunctiva) of the eye

Short-sightedness (myopia)

Changes in the lens of the eye, after long term use

Bleeding into the chamber behind the lens of the eye (vitreous haemorrhage)

Inablity of the pupil to change size (pupillary block)

Burning, itching and painful sensations in the eye

Constriction of the pupils

Retinal detachment

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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