Pilocarpine Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: cholinergic

Generic and brand names: pilocarpine hydrochloride, oral; Salagen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat dry mouth caused by radiation treatment of the head or neck or by other conditions or diseases. This medicine increases the production of saliva. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• asthma or other lung disease
• heart disease
• gallbladder problems
• glaucoma or other eye problems
• kidney disease or kidney stones
• liver disease
• mental illness such as depression or anxiety
• trouble urinating
• ulcers

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not increase the dosage on your own. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.

Do not take this medicine with meals that are high in fat. The medicine will not work as quickly or as well.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: headache, hallucinations, sweating, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, confusion.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine can affect your vision, especially at night or when the lighting is poor. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you can see clearly.

This medicine may cause you to sweat too much. This may make you dehydrated. Be careful when exercising, especially in hot weather. Drink more liquids. Ask your healthcare provider about other ways to avoid dehydration.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Very heavy sweating, drastic changes in vision, irregular heartbeat, unexplained weakness, breathing problems.

Other: Headache, tearing, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, flushing, dizziness, drowsiness, change in sense of taste, frequent urination, runny nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anticholinergics such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), atropine sulfate, propantheline (Pro-Banthine), belladonna, procyclidine (Kemadrin), trihexyphenidyl (Artane), benztropine mesylate (Cogentin), methscopolamine (Pamine), and hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex)
• beta blockers used to control high blood pressure such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol, nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), pindolol, sotalol (Betapace), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), carvedilol (Coreg), and acebutolol (Sectral)
• inhalers such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

____________________________________________________

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Developed by RelayHealth
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.