Side Effects of Cholinergics
Cholinergic medications are used to treat conditions like glaucoma, myasthenia gravis and urinary retention. They work by increasing or acting like acetylcholine, a chemical found in the body that stimulates smooth and skeletal muscles. Some cholinergic medications are pilocarpine, guanidine, bethanecol chloride, ambenonium and endrophonium.-
Eye Side Effects
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When cholinergic drugs like pilocarpine are applied to the eyes, the side effects are blurred vision, brow pain, headaches, temporary reduction in the ability to see far objects and eye irritation.
Systemic Side Effects
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These are side effects that affect the entire body when you take a cholinergic medication. They are stomach pain, dizziness, salivation, diarrhea, runny nose, heart burn, flushing, chills, nausea, vomiting, passing urine more often and sweating.
Adverse Side Effects
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There are serious side effects that need to be reported to your doctor. They are chest pain, confusion, severe headaches, severe diarrhea, fainting, slow heart beats, irregular gait, seizures, coma, severe tiredness, respiratory failure or shortness of breath and low blood pressure.
Precautions
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Do not take a cholinergic drug if you are allergic to it. If you have breathing, kidney, eye, heart or gall bladder problems, tell your doctor before you take a cholinergic medicine.
Helpful Information
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Cholinergic drugs may reduce your ability to see properly, make sure your eye sight is clear before you drive or do anything that requires being able to see well.