Carpinol 0.5% Injection
Carpinol 0.5% Injection is used in the treatment of dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth which makes speaking and swallowing easier.
Carpinol 0.5% Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Carpinol 0.5% Injection is used in the treatment of dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth which makes speaking and swallowing easier.
Carpinol 0.5% Injection is used in the treatment of dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth which makes speaking and swallowing easier.
Carpinol 0.5% Injection must be administered by a healthcare professional in the hospital or in a clinical setting. You should not self administer this medicine at home.
The most common side effects of this medicine are headache, sweating, frequent urge to urinate, and flu syndrome. If you experience such symptoms that persist or worsen, or any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, inform your doctor.
It is not advised to drive after using this injection as it may decrease your alertness and make you feel dizzy.
03Uses
Dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Carpinol 0.5% Injection is a cholinergic agonist. It works by reducing abnormal dryness of the mouth that may occur in certain immune disorders or due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
06What If You Miss A Dose?
Q: What if you forget to take Carpinol Injection?
A: If you miss a dose of Carpinol 0.5% Injection, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
07Benefits
In Dry mouth after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer
Radiation therapy to the head, face, or neck may also cause dry mouth. It can take 6 months or longer after radiation therapy ends for the salivary glands to start producing saliva again. Carpinol 0.5% Injection helps to increase the secretions of body fluids, particularly saliva and this helps to improve dry mouth due to radiation therapy. It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered.
08Side Effects
Headache
Sweating
Frequent urge to urinate
Flu-like symptoms
09Safety Information
Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Carpinol 0.5% Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Carpinol 0.5% Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Carpinol 0.5% Injection is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Carpinol 0.5% Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:CAUTION
Carpinol 0.5% Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Carpinol 0.5% Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver:CAUTION
Carpinol 0.5% Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Carpinol 0.5% Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Carpinol 0.5% Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
10Drug Tips
Inform your doctor if you have eye inflammation, suffer from asthma, liver, kidney or heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, stomach ulcer, have problems in passing urine, high blood pressure, narrow angle glaucoma (increased eyeball pressure due to obstruction to the outflow of fluid).
Drink sufficient water to reduce dehydration due to excessive sweating caused by pilocarpine.
The back layer of your eye (fundus) may be examined before starting pilocarpine therapy.
You may be regularly monitored for visual fields and intra-ocular pressure on long term therapy with pilocarpine for glaucoma.
Do not drive or operate machinery as pilocarpine causes dizziness and blurring of vision especially in the night.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
References
Sources and references
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1120-21.
PubChem. Pilocarpine. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from: View
Pilocarpine hydrochloride. Luxembourg: Merus Labs Luxco S.a.R.L.; 2001 [revised 01 Apr. 2016]. [Accessed 28 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from: View
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 03 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from: View
Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution [Prescribing Information]. Fort Worth, TX: Alcon laboratories, Inc.; 2011. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from: View
