What is the most important information I should know about pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
What is pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Pilocarpine ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye).
Vuity is used to treat an age-related progressive condition that reduces the eyes' ability to focus on near objects (presbyopia).
Pilocarpine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using pilocarpine ophthalmic?
You should not use pilocarpine ophthalmic if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a detached retina;
- iritis; or
- uveitis.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I use pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Wash your hands before using eye medication.
Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in this medicine could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 10 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.
Shake the eye drops well just before each use.
To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye medications your doctor has prescribed.
Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Store this medicine in an upright position at room temperature. Do not freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include sweating, nausea, tremors, or slow heart rate.
What should I avoid while using pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Avoid using any other eye medications your doctor has not prescribed.
Pilocarpine can make it harder for you to see at night or in low light. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.
What are the possible side effects of pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Seek medical attention right away if you have sudden onset of vision loss.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stinging, burning, swelling, or redness of your eye;
- vision changes;
- eye pain or increased watering; or
- signs of eye infection --swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, eyebrow pain;
- eye pain or irritation;
- eye redness;
- blurred vision;
- trouble seeing in low light; or
- your eyes may be more sensitive to light.
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.
What other drugs will affect pilocarpine ophthalmic?
Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about pilocarpine ophthalmic.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 1/28/2022.
