pilocarpine
1
9.0
- noun
- /ˌpɪloʊˈkɑrpiːn/
- Specialized
- Johnson et al. studied 207 patients and concluded that pilocarpine improved saliva production and relieved the symptoms of xerostomia; side effects were mild and limited to sweating.
- the use of pilocarpine
Examples
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The leaves of the jaborandi tree, native to Brazil, contain pilocarpine, an alkaloid used to make eye drops to treat glaucoma.
Academic text (1997) -
Doctors often prescribe pilocarpine in eyedrops to treat glaucoma and improve vision.
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Distance and near visual acuity were significantly reduced by pilocarpine treatment.
Blog text (13) -
Recently, pilocarpine has been used in the treatment of post-radiotherapy xerostomia.
Academic text (1999) -
The pupil diameter was significantly reduced post-treatment with pilocarpine.
Blog text (13) -
Starting pilocarpine, ideally while the patient is being radiated, can prevent complications associated with chronic mucositis.
Academic text (1999) -
The use of pilocarpine HCl, although controversial, might have improved her chronic oral dryness.
Academic text (1999) -
In light of the expanding use of pilocarpine for numerous systemic disorders over the past decades, it is important to understand its effects on visual and oral function.
Blog text (13) -
The major contraindications to pilocarpine therapy are uncontrolled asthma and certain types of glaucoma.
Academic text (1999) -
Patients with dry mouth may find relief by using pilocarpine as treatment.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A medicine that lowers eye pressure and can help memory by stopping a brain chemical from breaking down
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pilocarpine comes from the plant name Pilocarpus, which itself uses Greek parts pilos 'felt' and karpos 'fruit'—a name that likely points to the plant's cap-like fruit. So pilocarpine is a natural plant chemical (the ending -ine often marks such substances), and that is why this name is used for the medicine in eye drops and to help dry mouth.