Drug interactions
Pilocarpine + Succinylcholine
Severity: Minor
Pilocarpine and Succinylcholine: minor 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
Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist acting at muscarinic receptors rather than at the nicotinic neuromuscular junction, so it has no meaningful effect on succinylcholine blockade. Additive cholinergic effects such as bradycardia and secretions could occur at systemic doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pilocarpine and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Pilocarpine belongs to Miscellaneous; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive muscarinic effects on the heart and secretions; no direct neuromuscular interaction.
What to do
No specific adjustment is needed. Monitor heart rate during anesthesia, especially after systemic pilocarpine.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Pilocarpine
- Amitriptyline + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atropine + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Betaxolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bethanechol + Pilocarpine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pilocarpine with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Pilocarpine and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist acting at muscarinic receptors rather than at the nicotinic neuromuscular junction, so it has no meaningful effect on succinylcholine blockade. Additive cholinergic effects such as bradycardia and secretions could occur at systemic doses.
How serious is the interaction between Pilocarpine and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No specific adjustment is needed. Monitor heart rate during anesthesia, especially after systemic pilocarpine.
What other medicines interact with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Succinylcholine with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Succinylcholine page.
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