Latin, Pilocarpus

Eng., Pilocarpus. Synonym, Jaborandi. The dried leaflets of Pilocarpus jaborandi or of Pilocarpus microphyllus.

Principal Constituents

Contains not less than 0.6 per cent. of alkaloids, the most important of which is Pilocarpine.

Average Dose

30 grains (2 Gm.).

Official Preparation and Alkaloidal Salts.

Fluidextractum Pilocarpi

Eng., Fluidextract of Pilocarpus.

Average Dose

30 minims (2 mils).

Pilocarpine Hydrochloridum

Eng., Pilocarpine Hydrochloride. The hydrochloride of an alkaloid obtained from Pilocarpus.

Form

Colorless crystals.

Odor And Taste

Odorless. A faintly bitter taste.

Solubility

In 0.3 part of water or 3 parts of alcohol.

Incompatibles

Alkalies, iodides, gold salts, mercuric and mercurous chloride, potassium permanganate, silver nitrate, tannic acid.

Average Dose

By mouth, 1/6 grain (0.01 Gm.); hypodermic, 1/12 grain (0.005 Gm.).

Pilocarpines Nitras

Eng., Pilocarpine Nitrate.

Form, Odor, Taste, Incompatibility And Dose

See Pilocarpine Hydro-chloridum.

Solubility

In 4 parts of water or 75 parts of alcohol.

Therapeutic Action

Diaphoretic, diuretic, sialagogue, myotic.

Uses

Its employment is largely confined to cases when prompt diaphoresis is urgently indicated, as in uremia, convulsions, etc.

Administration

Seldom prescribed. Its use is largely confined to hypodermic tablets of Pilocarpine salts administered by the physician himself. It should be remembered that it is a very dangerous drug.

Pilulae Asafcetidae-See Asafcetida.

Pilulae Catharticae Compositae

See Colocynthis.

Pilulae Ferri Carbonatis

See Ferrum.

Pilulae Ferri Iodidi

See Ferrum.

Pilulae Phosphori

See Phosphorus.

Pilulae Rhei Compositae

See Rheum.