A comparison of artificial saliva and pilocarpine in radiation-induced xerostomia.

Author(s): Davies AN, Singer J

Affiliation(s): South East London Radiotherapy Department, St Thomas' Hospital, London.

Publication date & source: 1994-08, J Laryngol Otol., 108(8):663-5.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Twenty patients with radiation-induced xerostomia were entered into a prospective randomized crossover study comparing a mucin-based artificial saliva (Saliva Orthana) and a mouthwash containing pilocarpine (5 mg three times a day). Overall the patients found that the pilocarpine mouthwash was more effective than the artificial saliva in relieving their symptoms (p = 0.04), and 47 per cent of the patients wanted to continue with this treatment after the study had finished.