PILOCARPINE

Pharmacokinetics

This drug is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and it is not hydrolyzed by cholinesterase enzyme. It is excreted partly destroyed and partly unchanged in the urine.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug directly stimulates the muscarinic receptors to bring about all the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine.

Indications

• Glaucoma

ANTICHOLINESTERASE DRUGS

The commonly used cholinesterase inhibitors fall into three chemical groups:

1. Simple alcohols bearing quaternary amines, e.g., edrophonium
2. Carbamate and related quaternary or tertiary amines, e.g., neostigmine, physostigmine
3. Organic derivatives of phosphates, e.g., isofluorophate, echothiophate