Carpine 0.5% Injection
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Pilocarpine (0.5%) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Alkaloids Derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Cholinomimetic Alkaloids- Pilocarpine |
| User Rating | 4.3 |
| User Reviews | 793 |
FAQ
Does Carpine 0.5% cause blurred vision/hair loss?
Yes, Carpine 0.5% causes blurred vision. But, it does not cause hair loss.
Does Carpine 0.5% cause weight gain/increase blood pressure?
Carpine 0.5% increases blood pressure. However, no clinically relevant effect on weight has been reported with the use of Carpine 0.5%.
How does Carpine 0.5% affect heart rate?
Carpine 0.5% decreases heart rate by increasing the effect of a chemical called as acetylcholine.
How does Carpine 0.5% lower intraocular pressure?
Carpine 0.5% lowers intraocular pressure by constricting the ciliary muscle of the eyes, therefore increasing the outflow of fluid (aqueous humor) from posterior part of the eye.
Does Carpine 0.5% increase or decrease heart rate?
Carpine 0.5% can decrease the heart rate. However, it does not increase the heart rate.
Does Carpine 0.5% help dry eyes?
Yes, Carpine 0.5% helps dry eyes by increasing the production of tears.
Does Carpine 0.5% work?
Carpine 0.5% acts by increasing the activity of chemical acetylcholine, thereby, increasing the secretion from various glands including salivary glands and tear glands. Due to its cholinergic effect, it also constricts the pupil of the eye and improves the outflow of aqueous humor (fluid in within the eye) contributing to reduction in eyeball pressure.
What if you forget to take Carpine Injection?
If you miss a dose of Carpine 0.5%, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Carpine 0.5% Injection Reviews
Carpine 0.5% is used in the treatment of dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth which makes speaking and swallowing easier.
Carpine 0.5% must be administered by a healthcare professional in the hospital or in a clinical setting. You should not self administer this medicine at home.
The most common side effects of this medicine are headache, sweating, frequent urge to urinate, and flu syndrome. If you experience such symptoms that persist or worsen, or any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, inform your doctor.
It is not advised to drive after using this injection as it may decrease your alertness and make you feel dizzy.
How Carpine 0.5% Injection Works
Carpine 0.5% is a cholinergic agonist. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth that may occur in certain immune disorders or due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
How to Use Carpine 0.5% Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Benefits of Carpine 0.5% Injection
- In Dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer: Radiation therapy to the head, face, or neck may also cause dry mouth. It can take 6 months or longer after radiation therapy ends for the salivary glands to start producing saliva again. Carpine 0.5% helps to increase the secretions of body fluids, particularly saliva and this helps to improve dry mouth due to radiation therapy. It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered.
Uses of Carpine 0.5% Injection
- Dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer
Carpine 0.5% Injection Side Effects
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Carpine 0.5% may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Carpine 0.5% is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Kidney
CAUTION
Carpine 0.5% should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Carpine 0.5% may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
UNSAFE
Carpine 0.5% may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Liver
CAUTION
Carpine 0.5% should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Carpine 0.5% may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Carpine 0.5% is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Carpine 0.5%. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- The back layer of your eye (fundus) may be examined before starting pilocarpine therapy.
- You may be regularly monitored for visual fields and intra-ocular pressure on long term therapy with pilocarpine for glaucoma.
- Do not drive or operate machinery as pilocarpine causes dizziness and blurring of vision especially in the night.
- Drink sufficient water to reduce dehydration due to excessive sweating caused by pilocarpine.
- Inform your doctor if you have eye inflammation, suffer from asthma, liver, kidney or heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, stomach ulcer, have problems in passing urine, high blood pressure, narrow angle glaucoma (increased eyeball pressure due to obstruction to the outflow of fluid).
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
References
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1120-21.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Pilocarpine hydrochloride. Luxembourg: Merus Labs Luxco S.a.R.L.; 2001 [revised 01 Apr. 2016].
- Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution [Prescribing Information]. Fort Worth, TX: Alcon laboratories, Inc.; 2011.
- PubChem. Pilocarpine.