Pilocarpine (By mouth)
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Treats dry mouth caused by radiation treatment or Sjogren syndrome.
Drug classes
Dental Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pilocarpine tablets are used to treat dryness of the mouth and throat caused by a decrease in the amount of saliva that may occur after radiation treatment for cancer of the head and neck or in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome. This medicine may help you speak without having to sip liquids. It may also help with chewing, tasting, and swallowing. This medicine may reduce your need for other oral comfort agents, such as hard candy, sugarless gum, or artificial saliva agents.
Pilocarpine may also be used to treat dryness of the eyes caused by Sjogren’s syndrome
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Tell your doctor if you are also using a beta-blocker medicine (blood pressure or heart medicine).
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to pilocarpine, or if you have glaucoma or iritis.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a gallbladder disorder, heart disease, kidney disease, liver problems, lung disease (such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD), or psychiatric problems.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
DehydrationThis medicine may cause blurred vision or trouble seeing at night. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
Headache, vision changes, sweating, trouble breathing, dizziness, confusion, shaking
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Blurred vision, poor night vision
Chills
Sweating, warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest
Watery eyes or mouth, runny nose
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Salagen
There may be other brand names for this medicine.