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Pilocarpine is a miotic alkaloid, a chemical compound with the formula C11H16N2O2. It is derived from the jaborandi plant and is primarily used in the form of its hydrochloride or nitrate salts.1

Pilocarpine functions as a cholinergic drug, specifically a selective muscarinic-receptor agonist. This means it mimics the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system. Therapeutically, pilocarpine is used in eyedrops to constrict the pupil and reduce intraocular pressure, making it effective in treating glaucoma.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. pilocarpine
  2. cholinergic drug

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