title: Pilocarpine and other cholinergic drugs in the management of salivary gland dysfunction.
abstract: Sialagogues constitute an important component in the management of salivary gland dysfunction. Of the pharmacologic agents available, pilocarpine has been used extensively over the last century. Many clinical trials have documented the efficacy of this alkaloid, with doses that range from 1 to 15 mg normally taken four times a day. There is considerable individual variation in response although it is usually possible, in the presence of sufficient responsive exocrine tissue, to establish a therapeutic regimen that promotes increased salivation without significant side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, University of Otago, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000781:Anethole Trithione / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018723:Bethanechol; D001626:Bethanechol Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001626:Bethanechol Compounds; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D018723:Bethanechol; D010862:Pilocarpine; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide; D000781:Anethole Trithione