Major salivary gland output differs between users and non-users of specific medication categories.
BACKGROUND
The intake of medications is a major aetiologic factor of xerostomia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the selective influence of medication categories on flow rates of individual major salivary glands.


METHODS
The effect of each medication category on salivary flow rates was determined by dichotomy comparisons between users and non-users. A total of 246 patients were included, 79 males and 167 females aged 13-92 years (mean 63 years). Of these, 200 used medications, which were grouped according to their category. A comprehensive medical and oral examination was performed. Both unstimulated and stimulated saliva was collected separately from the parotid and submandibular/sublingual glands.


RESULTS
Parotid flow rate was decreased among users of tranquillisers and sedatives (unstimulated flow), cardiovascular drugs and gastrointestinal drugs (stimulated flow). Submandibular/sublingual unstimulated output was lower in patients taking cardiovascular drugs, antihistamines, tranquillisers/sedatives and antidepressants, while the stimulated flow, in those taking cardiovascular drugs, antihistamines, tranquillisers/sedatives and gastrointestinal drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Users of many common medication categories display significantly reduced unstimulated and/or stimulated salivary flow rate from the major salivary glands compared with non-users. A larger number of medication categories are associated with reductions in salivary flow rate from submandibular/sublingual glands than parotid glands.
Wolff
Andy
A
Saliwell Ltd, Harutzim, Israel. awolff@saliwell.com
Zuk-Paz
Limor
L
Kaplan
Ilana
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents