Pilocarpine affects the nervous system and increases saliva secretion in the mouth.

Pilocarpine is used to treat dry mouth caused by Sjogren's syndrome, or by radiation to treat head and neck cancer.

Pilocarpine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use pilocarpine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or asthma that is untreated or uncontrolled.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take pilocarpine with or without food.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking pilocarpine. This medicine can cause increased sweating and you may get dehydrated easily.

Use pilocarpine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Usual Adult Dose for Xerostomia:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally 3 times a day
Maintenance dose: 15 to 30 mg per day, given in divided doses

Comments:
-Doses should be adjusted based upon individual patient tolerance and response.
-The lowest effective dose should be used for maintenance.
-Single doses should not exceed 10 mg.
-At least 12 weeks of continued treatment may be necessary to assess whether treatment will produce a beneficial response.

Use: Treatment of symptoms of dry mouth from salivary gland hypofunction caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Usual Adult Dose for Sjogren's Syndrome:

5 mg orally 4 times a day

Comment: Efficacy was typically established by the sixth week of use.

Use: Treatment of dry mouth symptoms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome

You should not use pilocarpine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled asthma; or

• narrow-angle glaucoma.

To make sure pilocarpine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

• glaucoma or vision problems;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease;

• gallbladder problems;

• mental illness;

• if you take heart or blood pressure medicine; or

• if you use a bronchodilator to treat a breathing disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether pilocarpine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using pilocarpine.

It is not known whether pilocarpine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of pilocarpine can be fatal at very high doses.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

pilocarpine may cause blurred vision, especially at night or in low light. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Avoid becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Pilocarpine can increase sweating and you may be more prone to dehydration.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Pilocarpine may cause serious side effects. Stop using pilocarpine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath;

• fast or slow heart rate;

• severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;

• confusion, tremors; or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common side effects of pilocarpine may include:

• increased sweating, urinating more than usual;

• chills, or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• headache, dizziness, weakness;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• blurred vision, watery eyes; or

• runny nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with pilocarpine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.