Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agent that increases aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork by contracting the pupillary and iris sphincter muscles, inducing miosis. It stimulates various exocrine glands and has full and partial agonism at the muscarinic M3 receptor, expressed in smooth muscle cells in the pupillary sphincter and ciliary bodies, leading to increased smooth muscle tone
Use cautiously during pregnancy; no adequate studies conducted with pilocarpine.
Contraindications: COPD, peptic ulcer disease, arrhythmias, coronary vascular disease, angle-closure glaucoma, hyperthyroidism. Warnings: May cause difficulty in reading or other vision problems, especially at night. It may also cause some people to become dizzy. Common side effects: Sweating, nausea, runny nose, chills, flushing, frequent urge to urinate, dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, and blurred vision.