Pilocarpine

Indications

Pupil constriction

Dry mouth

Increase in eye pressure

Mechanism of action

Increase saliva secretion

Stimulate respiratory tract

Produce iris contraction

Contract ciliary muscle

Storage

Away from light and moisture

Route administration

Topical

Orally

Side Effect

Diarrhoea

Runny nose

Chills

Sweating

Blurred vision

Nursing Implications

Usually causes difficulty in dark adaptation; advise patients to use caution while night driving or performing hazardous tasks in poor illumination; finger pressure should be applied to lacrimal sac for 1-2 minutes after instillation to decrease risk of absorption and systemic reactions. Assure the patient or a caregiver can adequately administer ophthalmic medication dosage form

Contraindications

Closed-angled glaucoma

Acute iritis