PILOCARPINE 337 



Extractnm, Jaborandi Liquidum. (B. P.) 



Dose same as above for fluidextract. 



PiLOCARPiNJE Hydbochloridum. Pilocarpine Hydrochloride. 

 CH^N^OjHCl. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Chlorhydrate de pilocarpine, Fr. ; pilokarpin-hydrochlorid, G. 



Derivation. — The hydrochloride of an alkaloid obtained from pilocarpus, with 

 alcohol and hydrochloric acid, by distillation and evaporation. The residue is dis- 

 solved in a slight excess of ammonia and chloroform, shaken with water, and 

 neutralized with hydrochloric acid. Crystals of the hydrochloride form on evapo- 

 ration. The salt is purified by recrystallization. 



Properties. — Colorless, translucent crystals, odorless and having a faintly 

 bitter taste; hygroscopic on exposure to 'the air. Soluble in 0.8 part of water 

 and in 3 parts of alcohol; in 366 parts of ether; insoluble in chloroform. 



Dose. — H., sialogogue, gr.i-ii, (.06-.12) ; cathartic, gr.ii-v, (.12-.3); C, 

 cathartic, gr.v-x, (.3-.6) ; H., diaphoretic, gr.vi-xii, (.36-. 72), dangerous; Sh., 

 gr.i, (.06); D., gr. i^-Vs, (.006-.02). 



PiLocAEPiN.* NiTHAs. Pilocarpine Nitrate. (U. S & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Azotate de pilocarpine, Fr.; pilocarpinnitrat, G. 



Properfie^.^Shining crystals, faintly bitter-tasting; odorless; permanent in 

 the air. Soluble in 4 parts of water and in 75 parts of alcohol. 



Dose. — Same as for hydrochloride. 



Action of Pilocarpus and Pilocarpine 



Internal. — Alimentary Canal. — Pilocarpine increases enormously 

 salivary secretion, and, in a less degree, the gastric and intestinal secre- 

 tions. It stiijQulates peristaltic action of the stomach and bowels as well, 

 and acts as a purgative. Salivation is due to direct excitation of the 

 secretory nerve (chorda tympani) endings in the gland cells. Salivation 

 occurs when pilocarpine is injected into the gland and prevented from 

 entering the general circulation; also when the secretory nerves are sev- 

 ered. The action on the salivary glands is set aside by atropine. The 

 parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands become somewhat tense and 

 tender under the influence of pilocarpine, and the saliva is rich in salts 

 and ptyaline, and contains a slight excess of urea. The unstriped muscle 

 of the stomach and intestines is stimulated by pilocarpine through its 

 action on the efferent nerve endings and muscular tissue. 



Circulation. — Pilocarpine increases leukocyte formation in the blood. 

 In the lower animals the alkaloid stimulates the vagus endings in the 

 heart. The action is succeeded by depression of the vagus terminations 

 and, after large doses, by depression of the heart muscles and vagus 

 centres. 



The pulse is then at first slow, next it becomes accelerated, and final- 

 ly slow and weak with loss of tension. 



Sometimes in man, and occasionally in dogs, the pulse, at the begin- 

 ning, is frequent from vagus centre depression. Slight initial stimulation 

 of the vaso-constrictor center is followed by paralysis — after toxic doses. 



Respiration. — The respiration is not directly affected by the drug, 

 in moderate doses, but the bronchial secretions are greatly increased, the 

 bronchioles are much constricted (stimulation of ends of bronchomotor 

 nerves), and in poisoning there are, in consequence, edema of the lungs 

 and dyspnea. Weakness of the circulation and contraction of the bron- 

 chial muscles (lack of oxygen) account for the edema and dyspnea. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



