Knowra Pilocarpine Pilocarpine Pilocarpine is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist that stimulates cholinergic responses. It is used to lower intraocular pressure, relieve dry mouth, and induce sweating in diagnostic tests.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor : A G protein-coupled receptor family activated by acetylcholine and blocked by antimuscarinic drugs. Pilocarpine activates these receptors to produce glandular secretion and eye-muscle contraction.
Glaucoma : A group of eye diseases involving characteristic optic nerve damage, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Pilocarpine can lower pressure by increasing aqueous humor outflow, though it is not suitable for every case.
Bethanechol : A direct muscarinic agonist used chiefly to stimulate bladder emptying and gastrointestinal motility. It shares pilocarpine's receptor target but is used mainly for urinary retention rather than dry mouth or glaucoma.
Cholinergic toxidrome : A syndrome caused by excessive cholinergic activity, marked by effects such as salivation, sweating, bronchoconstriction, and bradycardia. Excessive pilocarpine exposure can produce this pattern of muscarinic overstimulation.
Acetylcholine : A neurotransmitter used by neurons at many central and peripheral synapses, including parasympathetic targets. Pilocarpine mimics acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors without being the body's neurotransmitter.
Miosis : Constriction of the pupil, produced by contraction of the iris sphincter muscle. Pilocarpine contracts the iris sphincter, constricting the pupil and aiding aqueous outflow.
Xerostomia : The subjective sensation of dry mouth, often associated with reduced or altered saliva production. Oral pilocarpine can stimulate saliva in people with persistent dryness.
Cevimeline : A muscarinic agonist used to treat dry mouth, especially in Sjögren syndrome. It offers a related oral treatment, with a different receptor-activation profile and dosing considerations.
Bradycardia : A heart rate slower than normal for a person's age and clinical circumstances. Systemic muscarinic stimulation can slow the heart, one concern with pilocarpine exposure.
Parasympathetic nervous system : The autonomic nervous system division that supports functions such as digestion, glandular secretion, and slowing heart rate. Pilocarpine reproduces several effects associated with parasympathetic cholinergic signaling.
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