PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Pilocarpine hydrochloride is a pharmaceutical substance that belongs to the class of drugs known as cholinergic agonists. It is primarily used as a medication to treat certain eye conditions and occasionally as a treatment for dry mouth associated with Sjögren's syndrome or radiation therapy.
When administered as eye drops, pilocarpine hydrochloride acts on the cholinergic receptors in the eye, stimulating the contraction of the muscles that control the pupil's size (constriction) and the drainage of aqueous humor, the fluid that fills the front part of the eye. This helps to decrease intraocular pressure, which is beneficial in treating conditions like glaucoma, where high pressure within the eye can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Furthermore, pilocarpine hydrochloride stimulates saliva secretion when taken orally for the treatment of dry mouth. This increased saliva production helps to improve mouth moisture and relieve the symptoms associated with reduced salivary flow.
It is important to note that pilocarpine hydrochloride should only be used under the guidance and prescription of a healthcare professional, as it may have potential side effects such as excessive sweating, low blood pressure, diarrhea, and increased bronchial secretions. Additionally, it may interact with certain medications, so it is crucial to inform your doctor about any other drugs you are currently taking.
Common Misspellings for PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE
- oilocarpine hydrochloride
- lilocarpine hydrochloride
- -ilocarpine hydrochloride
- 0ilocarpine hydrochloride
- pulocarpine hydrochloride
- pjlocarpine hydrochloride
- pklocarpine hydrochloride
- polocarpine hydrochloride
- p9locarpine hydrochloride
- p8locarpine hydrochloride
- pikocarpine hydrochloride
- pipocarpine hydrochloride
- pioocarpine hydrochloride
- pilicarpine hydrochloride
- pilkcarpine hydrochloride
- pillcarpine hydrochloride
- pilpcarpine hydrochloride
- pil0carpine hydrochloride
- pil9carpine hydrochloride
- piloxarpine hydrochloride
Etymology of PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE
The etymology of the word "pilocarpine" can be traced back to the genus of a South American tree called Pilocarpus, from which the drug is derived. The word "pilocarpus" comes from the Greek words "pilos" meaning "cap" or "felt hat", and "karpos" meaning "fruit", referring to the shape of the fruit capsules on the tree.
"Hydrochloride" is a chemical term derived from the combination of "hydro-" meaning "related to water" and "chloride" referring to a compound containing chlorine. In the case of pilocarpine hydrochloride, it signifies that the drug is in the form of a hydrochloride salt.
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