Zioptan vs. Pilocarpine for Glaucoma and Eye Pressure: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Zioptan

(tafluprost)

Pilocarpine

(Salagen)

Summary for Zioptan

Prescription only

Zioptan (tafluprost) is an eye drop medication used to treat high pressure in the eye, such as glaucoma. It works as a prostaglandin to help relieve pressure in the eye. Zioptan (tafluprost) is for adults and is used once each night. Side effects include feeling like there's something in the eye, burning, and stinging. Zioptan (tafluprost) is available as a brand-name and now also a generic medication.

Indications for Zioptan

High pressure in the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Pros and Cons for Zioptan

Pros

A first-choice option for lowering eye pressure
Only used once a day
Is preservative free, which might be less irritating to the eye

Cons

Often causes some eye redness
Can permanently darken the color of your eye over time
Must use eye drop vials inside the foil pouch within 30 days after opening the pouch

Common Side Effects for Zioptan

Eye redness (up to 20%)
Eye stinging or irritation (7%)
Headache (6%)
Itchy eye (5%)

Warnings for Zioptan

Darker eyes or eyelids
Eyelash changes
Eye inflammation
Swelling of the retina (macular edema)

Summary for Pilocarpine

Prescription only

Pilocarpine (Salagen) is a cholinergic agonist that's used to help certain adults with dry mouth. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth 3 to 4 times per day. Side effects can include sweating, nausea, and runny nose. It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about your medical history and your other medications because pilocarpine (Salagen) can sometimes worsen certain medical conditions and interact with many different medications.

Indications for Pilocarpine

Dry mouth due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Dry mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome

Pros and Cons for Pilocarpine

Pros

Works well to help with dry mouth
Can start to work quickly (about 20 minutes)
Available as a lower-cost, generic medication

Cons

Need to take 3 or 4 times a day
Can take several weeks to get the most benefit from the medication
Can have a lot of side effects since the medication can reach and affect many parts of your body

Common Side Effects for Pilocarpine

Treatment of dry mouth from radiation:

Sweating (up to 68%)
Nausea (up to 15%)
Chills (up to 15%)
Runny nose (up to 14%)
Flushing (up to 13%)
Frequent urination (up to 12%)
Weakness (up to 12%)
Dizziness (up to 12%)

Treatment of dry mouth from Sjögren's syndrome:

Sweating (40%)
Frequent urination (10%)
Flushing (9%)
Chills (4%)

Warnings for Pilocarpine

Possible worsening of medical conditions
Vision changes
Dose too high

Prices with our coupons for Zioptan vs. Pilocarpine

Tafluprost1 carton / 30 single-use containers of 0.0015%

$59.09$233.02

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Pilocarpine1 eye dropper / 15ml of 1%

$30.76$101.74

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Zioptan vs. Pilocarpine

Zioptan

Pilocarpine

Summary for Zioptan

Indications for Zioptan

Pros and Cons for Zioptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Zioptan

Warnings for Zioptan

Summary for Pilocarpine

Indications for Pilocarpine

Pros and Cons for Pilocarpine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Pilocarpine

Warnings for Pilocarpine

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Zioptan

Pilocarpine

Summary for Zioptan

Indications for Zioptan

Pros and Cons for Zioptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Zioptan

Warnings for Zioptan

Summary for Pilocarpine

Indications for Pilocarpine

Pros and Cons for Pilocarpine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Pilocarpine

Warnings for Pilocarpine