: a miotic alkaloid C11H16N2O2 obtained from jaborandi that is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride or nitrate especially in the treatment of glaucoma

Examples of pilocarpine in a Sentence

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David Guyton, an ophthalmologist at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, points out that while generic pilocarpine is inexpensive as a glaucoma treatment, a 2.5-milliliter container of Vuity—roughly a month’s supply—is not. Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2022 The active ingredient, pilocarpine, is one of a class of drugs called miotics, which pose some risk of retinal detachment (although no one had that problem in the clinical trials, says Dr. Chu). Steven Odierna As Told To Stephanie Dolgoff, Good Housekeeping, 9 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin Pilocarpus jaborandi, species of tropical shrubs

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilocarpine was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pilocarpine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilocarpine. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

pilocarpine

noun
: a miotic muscarinic alkaloid that is obtained from jaborandi and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C11H16N2O2·HCl or nitrate C11H16N2O2·HNO3 especially in the treatment of glaucoma and xerostomia

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