Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cholinergic alkaloid drug: Pilocarpine is a medication derived from plants. It acts by stimulating certain receptors in the body, mimicking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
   • A treatment for glaucoma: Its primary medical use is in the form of eyedrops to lower elevated intraocular pressure, a key factor in the eye disease glaucoma.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ophthalmologist prescribed pilocarpine eyedrops to manage my glaucoma.
  • Pilocarpine works by causing the pupil to constrict and increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.

Advanced Usage

• "Pilocarpine challenge test": A diagnostic test sometimes used to confirm cases of Sjögren's syndrome, where pilocarpine is administered to stimulate saliva production.
  • The patient underwent a pilocarpine challenge test to evaluate their salivary gland function.

Variants and Related Words

• Pilocarpine hydrochloride (n): The salt form of pilocarpine commonly used in pharmaceutical preparations.
  • The bottle contained a 2% solution of pilocarpine hydrochloride.

Synonyms

• Cholinergic agonist: A broader class of drugs that includes pilocarpine, all of which stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Miotic agent: A substance that causes constriction of the pupil; pilocarpine is a classic example.

Noun

1. cholinergic alkaloid used in eyedrops to treat glaucoma