Drug interactions
Atropine + Pilocarpine
Severity: Moderate
Atropine and Pilocarpine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Atropine and pilocarpine have opposing effects at muscarinic receptors. Atropine can reduce or abolish the therapeutic effect of pilocarpine, such as pupil constriction, lowered intraocular pressure or salivation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atropine and Pilocarpine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atropine belongs to Miscellaneous; Pilocarpine belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at muscarinic receptors.
What to do
Avoid using them together when the pilocarpine effect is needed, or monitor for loss of efficacy. Consider the antagonism intentionally when atropine is used for pilocarpine toxicity.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Atropine
- Atropine + Eluxadoline Major
- Atropine + Henbane Major
- Atropine + Pramlintide Major
- Abobotulinumtoxina + Atropine Moderate
- Aclidinium + Atropine Moderate
- Amantadine + Atropine Moderate
Other interactions of Pilocarpine
- Amitriptyline + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Betaxolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bethanechol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bisoprolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atropine with Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atropine and Pilocarpine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Atropine and pilocarpine have opposing effects at muscarinic receptors. Atropine can reduce or abolish the therapeutic effect of pilocarpine, such as pupil constriction, lowered intraocular pressure or salivation.
How serious is the interaction between Atropine and Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using them together when the pilocarpine effect is needed, or monitor for loss of efficacy. Consider the antagonism intentionally when atropine is used for pilocarpine toxicity.
What other medicines interact with Atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atropine with, for example, Eluxadoline, Henbane, Pramlintide. The full list is on the Atropine page.
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