Pilocarpine eye drops: how to take it safely
Isopto Carpine
Reviewed by Pharm. Abeeb Junior
What it is for
Lowers eye pressure in glaucoma, and shrinks the pupil.
How to take it
- Prescription medicine: take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist told you.
- Wash your hands. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and put one drop in the pocket it makes.
- Close your eye gently for 1 to 2 minutes and press the inner corner of the eye. This keeps the drop in the eye.
- Do not let the tip touch your eye or fingers.
- If you use more than one eye drop, wait 5 minutes between them.
When to take it
Use one drop 2 to 4 times a day, as prescribed.
Take it with
Not applicable.
What to avoid
- Wearing soft contact lenses unless the label says it is safe. Take lenses out first and wait 15 minutes.
- Touching the dropper tip to anything.
- Using the bottle for more than 4 weeks after opening.
- Sharing the bottle.
- Stopping without advice. Glaucoma can slowly damage vision without any symptoms.
- Driving at night or in dim light. It can make vision dim.
- Using it if you have an eye inflammation called iritis.
Possible side effects
Blurred or dim vision, brow ache, small pupils, stinging.
Get help if
Flashes of light, new floaters or a curtain over your vision: get urgent help. Sweating, drooling or stomach cramps: see a doctor.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine. Medicines and doses can differ between products and people.