ISOPILOCARPINE Meaning and
Definition
-
Isopilocarpine, also known as pilocarpine hydrochloride isomer, is a pharmaceutical substance that belongs to the group of alkaloid drugs derived from the leaves and fruits of the Pilocarpus plant. It is primarily used as a cholinergic agonist in the treatment of various ophthalmic conditions, specifically glaucoma.
As a cholinergic agonist, isopilocarpine acts by stimulating the cholinergic receptors in the body. These receptors mainly exist in the muscles, glands, and nerve endings that are activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. By binding to these receptors, isopilocarpine increases the production and release of acetylcholine, leading to various physiological responses.
The main therapeutic application of isopilocarpine is its ability to reduce intraocular pressure by contracting the muscles of the eye, specifically the iris sphincter muscle and the ciliary muscle. This helps in increasing the outflow of aqueous humor, the fluid present in the anterior chamber of the eye, which subsequently relieves the pressure on the optic nerve, reducing the risk of vision loss associated with glaucoma.
Aside from its ocular effects, isopilocarpine may also be used in the management of xerostomia, a condition characterized by dry mouth. By stimulating the salivary glands, it promotes saliva production, thus relieving the discomfort and complications associated with decreased salivary flow.
It is worth noting that isopilocarpine is a prescription-only medication and should be used under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare professional, due to its potential side effects and drug interactions.
Common Misspellings for ISOPILOCARPINE
- usopilocarpine
- jsopilocarpine
- ksopilocarpine
- osopilocarpine
- 9sopilocarpine
- 8sopilocarpine
- iaopilocarpine
- izopilocarpine
- ixopilocarpine
- idopilocarpine
- ieopilocarpine
- iwopilocarpine
- isipilocarpine
- iskpilocarpine
- islpilocarpine
- isppilocarpine
- is0pilocarpine
- is9pilocarpine
- isooilocarpine
- isolilocarpine
Etymology of ISOPILOCARPINE
The word "Isopilocarpine" is derived from several components:
1. Iso-: A prefix in chemistry that indicates an isomer, meaning the compound has the same molecular formula but a different structure or spatial arrangement compared to another compound.
2. Pilo-: Derived from the genus name "Pilocarpus", a group of flowering plants native to tropical regions of South America. Pilocarpine is a natural alkaloid compound extracted from these plants.
3. -carpine: A suffix referring to alkaloid compounds derived from plants of the Rutaceae family, to which Pilocarpus plants belong.
So, "isopilocarpine" can be understood as a compound that is an isomer of pilocarpine, a natural alkaloid derived from Pilocarpus plants.
