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Drug overview for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
Generic name: PILOCARPINE HCL (PYE-loe-KAR-peen)
Drug class:
Therapeutic class: Mouth-Throat-Dental - Preparations
Pilocarpine hydrochloride is a cholinergic agonist that binds to muscarinic receptors.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
Generic name: PILOCARPINE HCL (PYE-loe-KAR-peen)
Drug class:
Therapeutic class: Mouth-Throat-Dental - Preparations
Pilocarpine hydrochloride is a cholinergic agonist that binds to muscarinic receptors.
No enhanced Uses information available for this drug.
DRUG IMAGES
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The following indications for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl) have been approved by the FDA:
Indications:
Xerostomia secondary to radiation therapy
Xerostomia secondary to Sjogren's syndrome
Xerostomia
Professional Synonyms:
Mouth dryness secondary to radiation therapy
Mouth dryness
Xerostomia secondary to Gougerot-Sjogren disease
Xerostomia secondary to sicca syndrome
Xerostomia secondary to Sjogren's disease
Indications:
Xerostomia secondary to radiation therapy
Xerostomia secondary to Sjogren's syndrome
Xerostomia
Professional Synonyms:
Mouth dryness secondary to radiation therapy
Mouth dryness
Xerostomia secondary to Gougerot-Sjogren disease
Xerostomia secondary to sicca syndrome
Xerostomia secondary to Sjogren's disease
The following dosing information is available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
No enhanced Dosing information available for this drug.
Pilocarpine hydrochloride is administered orally 3 or 4 times daily. Although food may decrease the rate of absorption, the manufacturers make no specific recommendations for administering the drug with regard to meals.
| DRUG LABEL | DOSING TYPE | DOSING INSTRUCTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| PILOCARPINE HCL 5 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (5 mg) by oral route 3 times per day |
| PILOCARPINE HCL 7.5 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (7.5 mg) by oral route 2 times per day |
| DRUG LABEL | DOSING TYPE | DOSING INSTRUCTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| PILOCARPINE HCL 5 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (5 mg) by oral route 3 times per day |
| PILOCARPINE HCL 7.5 MG TABLET | Maintenance | Adults take 1 tablet (7.5 mg) by oral route 2 times per day |
The following drug interaction information is available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
There are 0 contraindications.
There are 0 severe interactions.
There are 1 moderate interactions.
The clinician should assess the patient’s characteristics and take action as needed. Actions required for moderate interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration.
| Drug Interaction | Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Cholinergics/Quinidine SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: The anticholinergic properties of quinidine may oppose cholinergic drug effects. CLINICAL EFFECTS: Quinidine may antagonize the effects of cholinergic drugs in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Cardiac slowing secondary to cholinergic drugs would tend to be prevented by quinidine. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: If both drugs are administered, observe the myasthenic patient for signs and symptoms of the disease. DISCUSSION: Caution is warranted in co-administration of these drugs due to their opposing pharmacologic properties. |
NUEDEXTA, QUINIDINE GLUCONATE, QUINIDINE SULFATE |
The following contraindication information is available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
Drug contraindication overview.
Known hypersensitivity to pilocarpine hydrochloride, uncontrolled asthma, and when miosis is undesirable (e.g., acute iritis, angle-closure glaucoma).
Known hypersensitivity to pilocarpine hydrochloride, uncontrolled asthma, and when miosis is undesirable (e.g., acute iritis, angle-closure glaucoma).
There are 3 contraindications.
Absolute contraindication.
| Contraindication List |
|---|
| Angle-closure glaucoma |
| Iritis |
| Severe persistent asthma |
There are 8 severe contraindications.
Adequate patient monitoring is recommended for safer drug use.
| Severe List |
|---|
| Biliary calculus |
| Biliary tract disorder |
| Cholecystitis |
| Chronic bronchitis |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Disease of liver |
| Psychotic disorder |
| Retinal detachment |
There are 3 moderate contraindications.
Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.
| Moderate List |
|---|
| Hypertension |
| Hypotension |
| Kidney stone |
The following adverse reaction information is available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
Adverse reaction overview.
Adverse effects occurring in 5% or more of patients receiving pilocarpine for radiation-induced dry mouth include sweating, nausea, rhinitis, diarrhea, chills, flushing, urinary frequency, dizziness, asthenia, headache, dyspepsia, lacrimation, and edema. Adverse effects occurring in 5% or more of patients receiving pilocarpine for dry mouth secondary to Sjogren syndrome include sweating, urinary frequency, nausea, flushing, rhinitis, diarrhea, headache, flu syndrome, dyspepsia, and dizziness.
Adverse effects occurring in 5% or more of patients receiving pilocarpine for radiation-induced dry mouth include sweating, nausea, rhinitis, diarrhea, chills, flushing, urinary frequency, dizziness, asthenia, headache, dyspepsia, lacrimation, and edema. Adverse effects occurring in 5% or more of patients receiving pilocarpine for dry mouth secondary to Sjogren syndrome include sweating, urinary frequency, nausea, flushing, rhinitis, diarrhea, headache, flu syndrome, dyspepsia, and dizziness.
There are 3 severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
| None. | None. |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Abnormal ECG Bradycardia Hearing loss |
There are 37 less severe adverse reactions.
| More Frequent | Less Frequent |
|---|---|
|
Chills Diarrhea Dizziness Flushing General weakness Hyperhidrosis Increased urinary frequency Nausea Rhinitis |
Acute abdominal pain Dyspepsia Edema Eye tearing Headache disorder Hypertension Pharyngitis Toxic amblyopia Vomiting |
| Rare/Very Rare |
|---|
|
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Acute cognitive impairment Appetite changes Body odor Dysphagia Dysuria Epistaxis Esophagitis Fatigue Hypothermia Muscle fasciculation Palpitations Paresthesia Symptoms of anxiety Syncope Tachycardia Tremor Visual changes Voice change |
The following precautions are available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
Safety and efficacy of pilocarpine have not been established in children.
Contraindicated
Severe Precaution
Management or Monitoring Precaution
Contraindicated
| None |
Severe Precaution
| None |
Management or Monitoring Precaution
| None |
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of pilocarpine in pregnant women; skeletal malformations, reduced fetal body weight, stillbirths, and decreased neonatal survival have been observed in animal reproductive studies at pilocarpine hydrochloride dosages higher than the maximum recommended dosages in humans. Pilocarpine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
It is not known whether pilocarpine is distributed into human milk. Because many drugs are distributed into human milk, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.
In clinical studies in patients with head and neck cancer, adverse effects of pilocarpine in geriatric patients older than 65 years of age generally were similar to those observed in younger adults. In clinical studies in patients with Sjogren syndrome, adverse effects of pilocarpine in geriatric patients older than 65 years of age generally were similar to those observed in younger individuals; however, urinary frequency, diarrhea, and dizziness occurred at higher rates in geriatric patients.
The following prioritized warning is available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl):
No warning message for this drug.
No warning message for this drug.
The following icd codes are available for PILOCARPINE HCL (pilocarpine hcl)'s list of indications:
| Xerostomia | |
| K11.7 | Disturbances of salivary secretion |
| R68.2 | Dry mouth, unspecified |
| Xerostomia secondary to radiation therapy | |
| K11.7 | Disturbances of salivary secretion |
| R68.2 | Dry mouth, unspecified |
| Xerostomia secondary to sjogren's syndrome | |
| M35.00 | Sjogren syndrome, unspecified |
| M35.0C | Sjogren syndrome with dental involvement |
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