PILOCARPINE Eye drops

Pilocarpine Eye Drops are used to treat certain forms of glaucoma (an increase in the pressure within the eye) and to reverse the effect of drugs that cause the pupil of the eye to get bigger.

Soft contact lenses must not be worm during treatment with Pilocarpine Eye Drops.

Pilocarpine Eye Drops are for external use only.

Instructions for use

1. Before opening a new bottle of Pilocarpine Eye Drops, please check that the safety strip on the bottom of the outer cap is unbroken.

2. Twist the outer cap to break the seal.

3. Wash your hands well before use.

4. Remove the outer cap. If you are putting in the eye drops yourself, you should use a mirror.

5. Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.

6. Pull the lower lid of the eye out to form a small pocket between your eyelid and your eye.

7. Hold the container between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the bottle upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle.

8. Apply enough pressure to the bottle to release 1-2 drops as directed by your doctor.

9. Blink your eye a few times.

10. If you think that you have missed your eye, then insert another drop.

11. Repeat steps 5-10 above for your other eye if you have been told to use Pilocarpine Eye Drops in both eyes.

12. Replace the outer cap on the bottle, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including the eye or your fingers.

13. Wash your hands.

How much to use

Adults and the elderly

Your doctor will decide how much you need based on the severity of your condition and your response to treatment.

To treat glaucoma:

The usual dose is 1-2 drops every 6 hours or as prescribed by your doctor.

When used before eye surgery:

The usual dose is 1 drop every 5 minutes or as directed by your doctor.

To reverse the effect of drugs that make the pupil of the eye get larger:

The usual dose is 1 drop every 5 minutes until the pupil is normal or as directed by your doctor.

Children

Use in children will only be considered if the child’s doctor considers it essential.

- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Pilocarpine or any of the other ingredients in this medicine

- if you are suffering from inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (acute iritis or anterior uveitis)

- if you are suffering from secondary glaucoma

- if you are wearing soft contact lenses.

This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses.

Some side effects can be serious

Stop treatment with the eye drops and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following care symptoms:

- bleeding within the front of the eye

- detachment of the retina (the inner surface of the eye)

- wheezing and breathing difficulties

- change in blood pressure or changes in the way your heart beats

Rare but less serious side-effects are:

- feeling sick (nausea)

- diarrhoea

- increase in saliva

- increased flow of tears

- trembling or shaking

Common but less serious side-effects are:

- itching, smarting and a burning sensation around the eye

- a red skin rash with itching (urticaria)

- temporarily blurred vision

- temporary short sightedness

- difficulty in seeing in poor light

- enlargement of the veins in the eye

- headache and brow ache (especially in young patients at the beginning of treatment)

Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

- antihistamines (medicines used to treat allergies)

- anticholinesterases, (such as neostigmine) which are medicines that affect the muscles and are used to treat diseases like myasthenia gravis

- medicines used to make the pupil larger and dry up the saliva in your mouth, such as atropine

- medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as benzatropine

- antidepressants including tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s), a type of medicine used to treat severe depression

- phenothiazines (medicines used to treat serious mental disorders) e.g. chlorpromazine

- medicines used to treat high blood pressure (adrenergic blockers) such as guanethidine.

You are advised not to drink alcohol during your treatment with Pilocarpine Eye Drops.

This medicine should not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding unless your doctor considers it essential.

- if you are suffering from any heart problems

- if you have asthma

- if you have Parkinson’s disease

- if you have problems in passing urine

- if you have high blood pressure

- if you have a stomach ulcer

- if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding

Pilocarpine Hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called miotics, these medicines affect muscles in the eye causing the pupil of the eye to get smaller.