194 PILOCARPINE. 



PILOCARPINE. 



Pilocarpine (CnH 16 N 2 O2 == 206.63) is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of 

 Pilocarpus jaborandi, a shrub of eastern Brazil. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System is depressed in the lower centers. 



Muscular System. Unstriped muscle is stimulated by Pilocarpine at the myo- 

 neural junction. 



Respiration is usually slowed, and rendered somewhat dyspneic by contraction of 

 bronchial muscles and by lessened circulation. 



Heart is usually slowed by direct action on vagus terminations ; though accelera- 

 tion and palpitation may be induced, means unknown. 



Blood-pressure is raised through heart action and vasomotor effect. 



Eye. Pupil is contracted by stimulation of myoneural junctions of intraocular 

 muscles. Intraocular pressure reduced by contraction of iris, thereby opening vip the 

 spaces of Fontana. 



Alimentary Tract. Thrown into active peristalsis by stimulation of the termina- 

 tions of the unstriped muscle receptors. 



Secretory Glands. Pilocarpine excessively stimulates the salivary, lachrymal, 

 mucous and intestinal glands, and the sweat and ceruminous glands all by immediate 

 action on the terminations of the secretory nerves. 



Metabolism. Leucocytosis increased through splenic stimulation. 



Temperature is slightly increased, then slowly decreased. 



Absorption is active from mucosa and from subcutaneous tissues. 



Excretion. A large part excreted unchanged. 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. Toxic Doses. 



Salivation. Excessive salivation, lachryma- 



Lachrymation. tion and hidrosis. 



Hidrosis. Nausea, retching, and vomiting. 



Intestinal discomfort. Colic, violent peristalsis, and pro- 



fuse watery stools. 



Pulse slow and irregular. 



Pupil contracted. 



Respiration quick and dyspneic. 



Mental confusion. 



Tremors, feeble convulsions. 



Respiration weakens and fails. 



Therapeutics. 



Pilocarpine finds its almost exclusive use as a powerful diaphoretic for grave 

 emergencies. It is used, also, in ophthalmic work to contract the pupil and to reduce 

 intraocular pressure. 



Dosage. 



Pilocarpinae Hydrochloridum, 0.008 to 0.03 Gm. 

 Pilocarpinse Nitras, 0.008 to 0.03 Gm. 



