Pilocarpine for Sjögren's syndrome

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
pilocarpine	Salagen

Pilocarpine is available only by prescription as tablets to be taken by mouth.

How It Works

Pilocarpine increases the amount of saliva and tears produced by the salivary and tear glands. Pilocarpine tablets are used to relieve dryness in the mouth, throat, and eyes caused by Sjögren's syndrome.

Why It Is Used

In Sjögren's syndrome, the moisture-producing glands of the body are attacked by the immune system and can become scarred and damaged, resulting in exceptional drying of the eyes and mouth. Besides being very uncomfortable and irritating, the dryness can lead to other symptoms, including yeast infections in the mouth (thrush), and cardboard-dry nasal and breathing passages. Pilocarpine stimulates an increase in the production of saliva and tears to relieve these symptoms.

How Well It Works

Pilocarpine has shown good results in relieving the dry mouth symptoms and, to a lesser extent, the dry eyes symptoms caused by Sjögren's syndrome.¹

Side Effects

Mild side effects may occur as you begin pilocarpine treatment. Check with your health professional if any of these side effects continue or become bothersome:

• Chills
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Feeling of warmth or heat
• Fever
• Flushing or redness of skin, especially on the face and neck
• Increased need to urinate
• Indigestion
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Runny nose
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Sweating

Less common side effects include:

• Fast heartbeat.
• Headache.
• Holding more body water.
• Swelling of face, fingers, ankles, or feet.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Trouble seeing.
• Unusual weak feeling.
• Voice change.
• Vomiting.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pilocarpine. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking pilocarpine if you have:

• Asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems.
• Gallbladder problems.
• Glaucoma.
• Heart or blood vessel disease.
• Inflammation of the iris of the eye (iritis).
• Kidney problems.
• Mental problems.
• Acute peptic ulcer disease.
• A tendency for retinal detachment.
• Retinal disease.

If you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your health professional before taking pilocarpine.

Be sure to talk to your health professional about other medications that you take, both prescription and non-prescription, before starting pilocarpine treatment.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Carrie Henley Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 27, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.