A comparison of artificial saliva and pilocarpine in the management of xerostomia in patients with advanced cancer

• DOI: 10.1191/026921698670435903
• Publication Date: 2003-05-07T23:18:25Z
• Authors: Andrew N Davies; Charles Daniels; Rosamund Pugh; Kiran Sharma
• Keywords: Pilocarpine; Hydrochloride; Crossover study

This was a crossover study comparing mucin-based artificial saliva (Saliva Orthana™) and pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen™) in the management of xerostomia patients with advanced cancer. The found to be more effective than terms mean change visual analogue scale scores for (P = 0.003). Furthermore, reported that it had helped their xerostomia, wanted continue after study. However, associated side-effects < 0.001). These were usually as being mild. Of who used both treatments, 50% preferred saliva, pilocarpine. commonest reason preferring fact spray, rather tablet.