Pilocarpine is what?

Pilocarpine is what?

• A. A synthetic beta-blocker
• B. A cholinesterase inhibitor
• C. A nicotinic receptor antagonist
• D. A natural alkaloid used as a muscarinic agonist

Answer: (D)

Pilocarpine is a natural alkaloid that acts as a muscarinic receptor agonist. It directly stimulates muscarinic receptors, mimicking acetylcholine, which produces parasympathetic effects such as pupil constriction, increased lacrimal and salivary secretions, and contraction of the ciliary muscle to open the drainage pathways in the eye. This mechanism lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma and can also relieve dry mouth by stimulating saliva. It is not a beta-blocker, not a cholinesterase inhibitor (which would raise acetylcholine levels indirectly), and not a nicotinic receptor antagonist.

Pilocarpine is a natural alkaloid that acts as a muscarinic receptor agonist. It directly stimulates muscarinic receptors, mimicking acetylcholine, which produces parasympathetic effects such as pupil constriction, increased lacrimal and salivary secretions, and contraction of the ciliary muscle to open the drainage pathways in the eye. This mechanism lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma and can also relieve dry mouth by stimulating saliva. It is not a beta-blocker, not a cholinesterase inhibitor (which would raise acetylcholine levels indirectly), and not a nicotinic receptor antagonist.