Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - M-Pilocarpine
What the medication is used for:
M-PILOCARPINE tablets are used to treat dry mouth and/or your dry eyes caused by radiotherapy in people with head and neck cancer or by Sjogren's syndrome (a condition that affects the immune system and causes dryness of certain parts of the body such as the eyes and mouth).
What it does:
M-PILOCARPINE tablets cause your salivary glands and your tear glands to make more of your natural saliva and tears.
When it should not be used:
M-PILOCARPINE should not be taken if you have:
- uncontrolled asthma
- acute inflammation of the iris or narrow-angle (angle closure) glaucoma
- a known sensitivity to pilocarpine, or to any of the tablet's ingredients
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Pilocarpine hydrochloride.
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Tablets, 5 mg.
BEFORE you use M-PILOCARPINE, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
- an abnormal heart beat or have had heart failure
- either high blood pressure or low blood pressure,
- asthma or difficulty breathing, bronchitis or emphysema
- liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or other
- blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, glaucoma or inflammation of the eye (iritis),
- frequent heartburn or indigestion, ulcers
- difficulty urinating, kidney failure or kidney stones
- gall stones,
- confusion, tremors, psychiatric illness
or if you:
Check with your doctor before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including natural/herbal remedies while on M-PILOCARPINE.
Drugs that may interact with M-PILOCARPINE include:
- vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products
and medications used to treat:
- Myasthenia Gravis (e.g. ambenonium)
- Common cold or motion sickness (e.g. some antihistamines)
- Hypertension (e.g. beta blockers like propranolol and metoprolol)
- Irritable bowel disease,
- Parkinson's disease
- Ulcers
- Urinary problems
Usual adult dose:
Take M-PILOCARPINE tablets three or four times a day as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a reduced dosage if you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
Do not take more than six tablets (30 mg) per day.
Take M-PILOCARPINE tablets with or without food. Do not chew or bite on the tablet.
Overdose:
Overdose symptoms include salivation, sweating, vomiting, difficulty breathing, changes in blood pressure, diarrhea, nausea and shock. Mental confusion and an irregular heartbeat can also occur.
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose of M-PILOCARPINE, take the next dose when you normally would. Do not take more than two
If you think you have taken too much M-PILOCARPINE tablets, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
tablets at a time.
Most side effects that could occur have been generally mild or
of moderate intensity. The possible side effects are:
- mild to moderate sweating
- chills
- nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
- diarrhea
- passing urine more often
- problems with digestion
- dizziness
- runny eyes
- runny nose
- headache
- flushing (redness in face)
Tell your doctor right away if you find the above listed side effects continue, bother you, or are severe.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking M-PILOCARPINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Store at room temperature (15 - 30ºC). Keep from moisture. Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about M- PILOCARPINE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
REPORTING SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect- canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and seek immediate emergency medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Allergic reaction: skin rash, hives, itching or swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing | ✔ | |||||
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and seek immediate emergency medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Uncommon | Weakness | ✔ | ||||
| Confusion, agitation, or very depressed | ✔ | |||||
| Vision abnormalities | ✔ | |||||
| Chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or your pulse races | ✔ | |||||
| Unknown | Difficulty breathing | ✔ | ||||
| Severe pain in your stomach or abdomen | ✔ | |||||
| Fainting | ✔ | |||||
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada.html; or by contacting Mantra Pharma Inc. at medinfo@mantrapharma.ca.
Mantra Pharma Inc.
9150 Leduc Blvd, Suite 201
Brossard, Quebec, Canada
J4Y 0E3
Date of revision: May 10, 2021