Consumer Drug Information

Pilocar Drops


Generic Name: Pilocarpine Eye Drops (pye-loe-KAR-peen)
Brand Name: Examples include Isopto Carpine and Pilocar

Pilocar Drops are used for:

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Treating certain types of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used to reverse the effects of other medicines used during eye surgeries or examinations. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pilocar Drops are a direct-acting miotic. It works by lowering the fluid pressure inside the eyeball by increasing fluid drainage from the eyeball. It also causes the pupils to constrict or get smaller (miosis).

Do NOT use Pilocar Drops if:

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Pilocar Drops
  • you have a certain type of glaucoma (eg, pupillary block glaucoma), eye inflammation, or a severe eye infection

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pilocar Drops:

Some medical conditions may interact with Pilocar Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
  • if you have a detached retina, an eye infection, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • if you have had a heart attack

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pilocar Drops. However, no specific interactions with Pilocar Drops are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Pilocar Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.



How to use Pilocar Drops:

Use Pilocar Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • Pilocar Drops are only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth.
  • To use Pilocar Drops in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
  • To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
  • If you miss a dose of Pilocar Drops, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pilocar Drops.

Important safety information:

  • Pilocar Drops may cause blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pilocar Drops with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
  • Pilocar Drops may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pilocar Drops while you are pregnant. It is not known if Pilocar Drops are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Pilocar Drops, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Pilocar Drops:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; change in vision; eyelid twitching; headache at the temples or around the eyes; increased tearing; nearsightedness; redness or swelling of the eye; temporary stinging or burning.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); detachment of the retina; fast or abnormal heartbeat; increase in blood pressure; poor vision at night.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include asthma; blurred vision; diarrhea; fainting; increased saliva; increased sweating; irregular heartbeat; vomiting.

Proper storage of Pilocar Drops:

Store Pilocar Drops at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pilocar Drops out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

  • If you have any questions about Pilocar Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Pilocar Drops are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pilocar Drops. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: November 4, 2009
Database Edition 09.4.1.002
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Pilocar Drops resources

Pilocar Drops Side Effects

Pilocar Drug Interactions

 

Cerner Multum Pilocar

PDR Pilocar

Micromedex Pilocar - Includes detailed dosage instructions.

Micromedex Akarpine - Includes detailed dosage instructions.

Compare Pilocar Drops with other medications for the treatment of:

Glaucoma, Intraocular Hypertension

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