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Carbacholine: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Carbacholine - General Information

A slowly hydrolyzed cholinergic agonist that acts at both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

 

Pharmacology of Carbacholine

Carbacholine is a potent cholinergic (parasympathomimetic) agent which produces constriction of the iris and ciliary body resulting in reduction in intraocular pressure. The exact mechanism by which carbachol lowers intraocular pressure is not precisely known. In the cat and rat, carbachol is well-known for its ability to induce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep when microinjected into the pontine reticular formation. Carbacholine elicits this REM sleep-like state via activation of postsynaptic muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs).

 

Carbacholine for patients

 

Carbacholine Interactions

No information provided.

 

Carbacholine Contraindications

Should not be used in those persons showing hypersensitivity to any of the components of this preparation.

 

Additional information about Carbacholine

Carbacholine Indication

Primarily used in the treatment of glaucoma, but is also used during ophthalmic surgery.

Mechanism Of Action
Carbacholine is a parasympathomimetic that stimulates both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. In topical ocular and intraocular administration its principal effects are miosis and increased aqueous humour outflow.
Generic Name
Carbachol
Drug Category
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Cardiotonic Agents; Cholinergic Agonists; Miotics
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Carbachol
CB; Carbachol USP27; Carbachol chloride; Carbachol hydrochloride; Carbacholin; Carbacholine; Carbacholine chloride; Carbacolina; Carbaminocholine chloride; Carbaminoylcholine chloride; Carbamiotin; Carbamoylcholine chloride; Carbamoylcholine-hydrochloride; Carbamylcholine chloride; Carbastat; Carbastat intraocular; Carbochol; Carbocholin; Carbocholine; Carboptic; Carbyl; Carcholin; Choline carbamate chloride; Choline chloride carbamate; Choline chloride, carbamoyl-; Choline chlorine carbamate; Choline, chloride, carbamate; Coletyl; Doryl; Isopto Carbachol; Jestryl; Karbachol; Karbamoylcholin chlorid; Lentin; Lentine; Miostat; Mistura C; Moryl; P. V. Carbachol; Rilentol; Vasoperif;
Absorption
Not well absorbed in the gastro-intestinal tract, and does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 15 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 40 mg/kg.
Dosage Forms of Carbacholine
Liquid Subcutaneous
Chemical IUPAC Name
2-carbamoyloxyethyl-trimethylazanium
Chemical Formula
C6H15N2O2+
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals