Minims Pilocarpine 2%

Pilocarpine is used to treat glaucoma and other eye conditions.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your doctor should check your eye pressure at regular visits.

For patients using the eye drop or gel form of this medicine:

• For a short time after you use this medicine, your vision may be blurred or there may be a change in your near or far vision, especially at night. Make sure your vision is clear before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.

For patients using the eye insert form of this medicine:

• For the first several hours after you insert this unit in the eye, your vision may be blurred or there may be a change in your near or far vision, especially at night. Therefore, insert this unit in the eye at bedtime, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If this unit is inserted in the eye at any other time of the day, make sure your vision is clear before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Increased sweating
• muscle tremors
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• troubled breathing or wheezing
• watering of mouth

• Eye pain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Blurred vision or change in near or far vision
• decrease in night vision

• Eye irritation
• headache or browache

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

One drop of 1%, 2%, or 4% solution (or two drops administered five minutes apart) should be applied in the eye(s)

Comments:
-This drug may be used in combination with beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sympathomimetics or hyperosmotic agents.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Use: Induction of Miosis

Under 2 years:
One drop of 1% solution should be applied in the eye(s) three times a day

2 years or older:
Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: One drop of 1%, 2% or 4% solution applied in the eye(s) up to four times a day
Management of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: One drop of the 1% or 2% solution applied in the eye(s) up to three times over a 30-minute period
Prevention of Postoperative Elevated IOP Associated with Laser Surgery: One drop of the 1%, 2% or 4% solution (or two drops administered five minutes apart) should be applied in the eye(s) 15 to 60 minutes prior to surgery

Comments:
-Patients who are naive to this drug should be started on the 1% concentration.
-The frequency of instillation and concentration of this drug is determined by the severity of the elevated intraocular pressure and miotic response of the patient.
-This drug may be used in combination with beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sympathomimetics or hyperosmotic agents.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.
-Prior to use, treatment with secretory suppressants and hyperosmotic agents may be needed to lower IOP below 50 mmHg and relieve iris ischemia.
-If laser iridoplasty or iridomy is used to break the attack, one drop of the 4% solution should be administered prior to the procedure.
-Following laser iridoplasty, one drop of the 1% solution should be administered four times daily until an iridotomy can be performed.

Uses:
-Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
-Management of acute angle-closure glaucoma
-Prevention of postoperative elevated IOP associated with laser surgery
-Induction of miosis

Under 2 years:
One drop of 1% solution should be applied in the eye(s) three times a day

2 years or older:
Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: One drop of 1%, 2% or 4% solution applied in the eye(s) up to four times a day
Management of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: One drop of the 1% or 2% solution applied in the eye(s) up to three times over a 30-minute period
Prevention of Postoperative Elevated IOP Associated with Laser Surgery: One drop of the 1%, 2% or 4% solution (or two drops administered five minutes apart) should be applied in the eye(s) 15 to 60 minutes prior to surgery

Comments:
-Patients who are naive to this drug should be started on the 1% concentration.
-The frequency of instillation and concentration of this drug is determined by the severity of the elevated intraocular pressure and miotic response of the patient.
-This drug may be used in combination with beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sympathomimetics or hyperosmotic agents.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.
-Prior to use, treatment with secretory suppressants and hyperosmotic agents may be needed to lower IOP below 50 mmHg and relieve iris ischemia.
-If laser iridoplasty or iridomy is used to break the attack, one drop of the 4% solution should be administered prior to the procedure.
-Following laser iridoplasty, one drop of the 1% solution should be administered four times daily until an iridotomy can be performed.

Uses:
-Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
-Management of acute angle-closure glaucoma
-Prevention of postoperative elevated IOP associated with laser surgery
-Induction of miosis

Data not available

Data not available

Patient advice:
-Patients should be instructed to wash their hands before use and avoid allowing the tip of the bottle to come into contact with the eye or surrounding structures.
-Systemic absorption of drugs from ophthalmic solutions may be minimized by
pressure on the tear-duct immediately after application.

Storage requirements:
-Do not freeze
-Protect from light
-Pilocarpine nitrate: Store between 2 C to 8 C ( 36 F to 46 F)