Qlosi
Qlosi (pilocarpine) 0.4% is an FDA-approved eye drop used to treat presbyopia (age-related vision changes) in adults. It works as a cholinergic agonist to help improve near vision. Qlosi (pilocarpine) comes in preservative-free, single-use vials. You place 1 drop into each eye once or twice daily, as directed by your prescriber. With each drop, near vision can start to improve in about 20 to 30 minutes and can last up to 8 hours. Side effects can include brief stinging when the drop is placed in the eye, temporary blurry vision, and headache.
What is Qlosi (pilocarpine)?
What is Qlosi (pilocarpine) used for?
- Presbyopia (trouble seeing things up close that happens with aging) in adults
How Qlosi (pilocarpine) works
Qlosi (pilocarpine) is a cholinergic agonist. It works by attaching to proteins in your eye called acetylcholine receptors. This causes the muscles in your eye to contract (squeeze), which makes your pupils smaller. As a result, you see objects that are close to you more clearly.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Qlosi |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Cholinergic agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Qlosi (pilocarpine) essentials
Side effects of Qlosi (pilocarpine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pain or stinging right after putting the drop in the eye (5–8%)
- Headache (5–8%)
- Blurry vision (2–5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Temporary dim or dark vision
- Trouble seeing in low light (e.g., night driving)
- Temporary problems switching focus from near to far
- Eye redness
- Itchy eye right after putting the drop in
- Eye or face pain
- Nausea
Qlosi (pilocarpine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Retinal detachment: sudden flashes of light, new floaters (especially if they're big or you see many at once), gray or black spots in your vision, a dark curtain or shadow in your vision, dimmed vision
- Eye inflammation (iritis): eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, worsening blurry vision
The following Qlosi (pilocarpine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue or trouble seeing objects far away
- Eye irritation or itching
- Headache
- Increased tears after use
Pros and cons of Qlosi (pilocarpine)
Pros
- Can help improve near vision without surgery or contact lenses
- Flexible dosing for daily use or only when you need it (up to twice a day)
- Preservative free, which can be helpful if your eyes are sensitive to preservatives
Cons
- Can cause brief stinging, blurry vision, or headache
- Might make night driving harder
- Rare risk of retinal detachment in some people
Pharmacist tips for Qlosi (pilocarpine)
- You can use Qlosi (pilocarpine) every day or as needed, up to twice a day. This depends on your prescriber's instructions. Follow their guidance carefully.
- Time Qlosi (pilocarpine) around tasks that need good near vision. After placing a drop into each eye, near vision often starts to sharpen in about 20 minutes and can last up to 8 hours. Try to use the eye drops before activities like reading, crafting, or computer work. This can help you get the most benefit when you need it.
- Remember, you can use Qlosi (pilocarpine) up to twice a day. Don't use it more often than that each day. Using Qlosi (pilocarpine) more often might not improve results and might raise the chance of side effects.
- If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using Qlosi (pilocarpine). Wait to put your contacts back in at least 10 minutes after using the drops. This helps avoid eye irritation and makes sure your eye absorbs all the medication.
- How to use Qlosi (pilocarpine): Wash and dry your hands well. When you're ready, tilt your head back and look upwards. Gently pull down your lower eyelid, hold the vial tip right above your eye, and place 1 drop into the eye. Close your eye and press a finger at the inner corner for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps the drop stay in your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye.
- Throw away the Qlosi (pilocarpine) vial after using, even if there's still some left inside. Each vial is only meant for one use. The medication doesn't contain preservatives, so germs can grow in it if you save an opened vial for later use.
- Separate Qlosi (pilocarpine) from other eye drops. If you use more than one eye medication, wait at least 5 minutes between them. This helps your eye absorb each medication fully so that they can work properly.
- After using Qlosi (pilocarpine), your vision can become blurry. It also might be harder to focus when looking from near objects to far objects. If this happens, don't do anything that needs clear distance vision. These effects are usually temporary and go away as the medication wears off each time. Wait until your vision is back to normal for you.
- Take care with night activities. Qlosi (pilocarpine) can cause dim or dark vision after using. This can make night driving harder. Wait to drive until your vision clears up and is bright enough for you.
- Watch for warning signs of retinal detachment. Although rare, this has happened in some people using medications like Qlosi (pilocarpine). Call a clinician right away if you see flashes of light, new floaters, a dark curtain over your vision, or sudden vision loss. An eye specialist can check your eyes to see what's going on.
- Tell your care team if you notice signs of eye inflammation called iritis. This can include red eyes, watery eyes, eye pain, and blurry vision. Qlosi (pilocarpine) isn’t recommended for people who currently have iritis. If you have this eye problem, your prescriber can help decide the best next steps for your treatment.
- Don't let the tip of the Qlosi (pilocarpine) vial touch your eye or any other surface. Also avoid touching the tip with your hands or fingers. This helps prevent eye injury and keeps germs from getting into the medication, which can cause an eye infection. Contact your care team if you have eye pain, eye discharge, or worsening eye redness. These can be signs of an eye infection.
- How to store Qlosi (pilocarpine): Keep the medication refrigerated in the original carton. After you open a foil pouch, you can keep the vials inside at room temperature (up to 77°F) for 30 days. Store unused vials away from light.
Risks and warnings for Qlosi (pilocarpine)
Qlosi (pilocarpine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Blurred or dimmed vision
Qlosi (pilocarpine) can make your vision blurry and make it harder to switch focus between near and far objects. Some people also notice dim or dark vision while the medication is working. These effects can start soon after you place the drop into your eye. But they usually fade as the medication wears off each time.
These effects don't last too long. But they can make some activities, especially ones that need clear vision and bright light, less safe. Be careful when using tools or moving around in low light right after using Qlosi (pilocarpine). If your vision is blurry or dim, wait until your vision is back to normal before driving, especially at night.
Risk of retinal detachment
- Risk factors: History of retinal problems | Previous serious eye injury | Previous eye surgery (like cataract surgery)
Although rare, some people using medications like Qlosi (pilocarpine) have had retinal detachment, which is a serious eye problem. The risk can be higher for people who already have retinal problems. It might also be higher if you seriously injured your eye before or have had eye surgery.
It's best to get an eye exam to check your retina before starting Qlosi (pilocarpine). Contact your optometrist right away if you notice flashes of light, new or many floaters, or vision loss. These can be signs of retinal detachment.
Not recommended for people with inflammation of the iris
If you have active eye inflammation called iritis, Qlosi (pilocarpine) isn’t recommended. The medication might lead to some parts inside the eye, like the iris and lens, to stick together. This can make eye symptoms worse.
Signs of eye inflammation can include eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and changes in vision. If you notice these symptoms, stop using Qlosi (pilocarpine) and contact your care team. They'll likely recommend an eye exam to check your eyes and decide if the medication is still safe for you to use.
Remove contact lenses before using
If you wear contact lenses, remove them before each time you use Qlosi (pilocarpine). Then, wait at least 10 minutes before putting your contacts back in. This lowers the chance of irritation and helps the drop absorb properly into the eye.
If your eyes feel irritated after reinserting your lenses, wait longer before putting them back. You can also use Qlosi (pilocarpine) at times when you won’t be wearing contacts. Ask your care team if you need help timing doses around contact lens use.
Qlosi (pilocarpine) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 0.4ml vials of 0.4% | 1 carton | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| 20 0.4ml vials of 0.4% | 1 carton | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| 30 0.4ml vials of 0.4% | 1 carton | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| 60 0.4ml vials of 0.4% | 1 carton | $79.00 | $79.00 |
Typical dosage for Qlosi (pilocarpine)
The typical dose is 1 drop in each eye once a day. If needed, you can place 1 more drop in each eye 2 to 3 hours after the first drop.
You can use Qlosi (pilocarpine) every day, or as needed. Use up to two times per day.
How much does Qlosi (pilocarpine) cost?
$79.00
Qlosi (pilocarpine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Qlosi (pilocarpine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to pilocarpine
What are alternatives to Qlosi (pilocarpine)?
Qlosi (pilocarpine) images
