title: Post-radiation severe xerostomia relieved by pilocarpine: a prospective French cooperative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was: (1) to confirm the action of pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen) against xerostomia: (2) to correlate the response to dose/volume radiotherapy parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 1995 to February 1996, 156 patients with severe radiation induced xerostomia received pilocarpine hydrochloride orally. IS mg per day with a 5 mg optional increase at S weeks up to a daily dose of 25 mg beyond 9 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and forty five patients are fully evaluable. Treatment compliance was 75%. Thirty eight patients (26%) stopped treatment before week 12 for acute intolerance (sweating, nausea, vomiting) or no response. No severe complication occurred. Ninety ses en patients (67%) reported a significant relief of symptoms of xerostomia at 12 weeks. Within 12 weeks, the size of the subgroup ith normal food intake almost doubled (13-24 patients) while the size of the subgroup with (nearly) impossible solid food ingestion decreased by 38% (47 vs. 29 patients). The impact on quality of life was considered important or very important by 77% of the responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference was found according to dose/volume radiotherapy parameters suggesting that oral pilocarpine hydrochloride: (1) acts primarily by stimulating minor salivary glands: (2) can be of benefit to patients suffering of severe xerostomia regardless of radiotherapy dose/volume parameters: (3) all responders are identified at 12 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Department, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Horiot
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lipinski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schraub
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maulard-Durdux
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bensadoun
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ardiet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolla
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Coscas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baillet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coche-Dequéant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urbajtel
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montbarbon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bourdin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wibault
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfonsi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calais
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Desprez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pene
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapeyre
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maral
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D010862:Pilocarpine