Antiglaucoma

Recently Answered

• QDo cholinergic agonists have any side effects?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Side effects may include fatigue, insomnia, excess sweating, hot flashes, excess saliva, nose or lung inflammation, coughing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, urinary tract infections, and joint pain. Cholinergic agonists can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery. The risk of side effects of cevimeline is higher in older people. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QWhat should I know before taking a cholinergic agonist?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you have asthma, cholinergic agonists may not be good options for you. If your asthma is severe, you should not take cholinergic agonists.
  
  If you have cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cholinergic agonists may not be good options for you.
  
  If you have angle-closure glaucoma, you should not take cholinergic agonists.
  
  If you have had gallstones or kidney stones, cholinergic agonists may not be good options for you.
  
  If you have severely impaired liver function, pilocarpine can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
  
  If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or may be pregnant, cholinergic agonists may not be good options for you. It is not known if they are safe for pregnant women.
  
  It is not known if cholinergic agonists safe or effective for children.
   
  You should not take cholinergic agonists if you are breastfeeding. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QWhat are cholinergic agonists?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Cholinergic agonist medications stimulate the involuntary nervous system. This helps the lacrimal glands make more tears, along with other effects. Two oral drugs, pilocarpine (Salagen) and cevimeline (Evoxac), are FDA-approved for dry mouth in people with Sjogren syndrome. They are not approved for dry eye in people without Sjogren syndrome. But they are often prescribed to people who have moderate or severe dry eyes due to a lack of tears (aqueous-deficient). 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QHow does pilocarpine treat dry mouth?

  2 Answers

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Pilocarpine is a medication that can stimulate the flow of saliva from your salivary glands, increasing the amount of saliva in your mouth and helping to improve symptoms of dry mouth. It is often prescribed for people who have dry mouth after undergoing radiation therapy for head or neck cancer, or for people who have an autoimmune condition known as Sjogren's syndrome, which can cause dryness of the mouth and eyes. It is taken orally as a tablet three or four times a day. For more information about pilocarpine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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• QAre there any risks in taking Pilocarpine?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  There may be some risks associated with taking Pilocarpine. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need to consult their doctors about the risk of Pilocarpine that may be transferred to their babies. Men and women who are planning to become parents should be aware that Pilocarpine might decrease their fertility. It may be dangerous to drive at night or to perform certain activities because Pilocarpine may affect vision. Discuss all concerns about the risks of taking Pilocarpine with your healthcare provider.
• QWho should not take physostigmine injection?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Do not take physostigmine injection if you have asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal obstruction or urinary tract obstruction. You should also not use physostigmine salicylate if you are taking neuromuscular blocking drugs. Finally, you should not use the drug if you have reason to believe you will have an allergic reaction to it.
   
• QWho should not use Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic)?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  If you are allergic to any component of Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic), you should not use it. Animal studies showed that the ingredients of Latisse were harmful to fetuses and were passed through breast milk; there is not enough research to declare whether using Latisse when pregnant or nursing is safe in humans. If you have any eye conditions, you should consult with your doctor before trying Latisse.
   
• QIs latisse safe if I wear contact lenses?

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  While people who wear contact lenses can certainly use latisse, you should remove your contacts before applying the solution. Latisse can absorb into your contacts, particularly soft contacts, which can cause discoloration of the lenses. After applying latisse to your upper eyelid, wait 15 minutes before reinserting your contacts.