173k views
5 votes
Dude with laryngospasm. Which glaucoma drug cannot be used?

1) Timolol
2) Latanoprost
3) Dorzolamide
4) Pilocarpine

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Pilocarpine, being a muscarinic agonist with parasympathomimetic effects, should not be used in a patient experiencing laryngospasm as it can worsen the condition by contributing to airway constriction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The individual referenced in the question is experiencing laryngospasm, which is a sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx. Among the listed glaucoma drugs, pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist, which could potentially exacerbate laryngospasm due to its parasympathomimetic effects. Pilocarpine constricts the pupil by acting on the smooth muscle of the iris and contracts the ciliary muscle to facilitate the drainage of the aqueous humor from the eye, ultimately reducing intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. However, because of its pharmacological action, it should be avoided in someone with laryngospasm as it can worsen the respiratory condition by further contributing to airway constriction.

User John Stone
by
8.3k points