Effects of antidepressants and benzodiazepines on stimulated salivary flow rate and biochemistry composition of the saliva.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of psychotropics on stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR), total proteins, urea and calcium concentration, alpha-amylase activity, pH, saliva buffer capacity (SBC), and the prevalence of xerostomia in psychotropic users and its relationship with low SSFR and/or hyposalivation.


METHODS
Thirty-three subjects were allocated to 4 groups: I (control): II (psychotropic users); III (subjects of group II using only selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]); and IV (subjects of group II using SSRIs at recommended initial dose). The SBC was obtained by titrimetry and salivary composition by colorimetric method.


RESULTS
Group II presented a significant decrease (P = .0203), of 33.85% in SSFR compared with group I. Mean SSFR values in groups III and IV showed no significant difference compared with control group (P > .05). Xerostomia was observed in 37.50%, 38.46%, and 50% of subjects in groups II, III, and IV, respectively. Biochemical composition, pH, and SBC were not significantly affected (P > .05) by the use of psychotropics.


CONCLUSIONS
Xerostomia was associated with a decrease in SSFR and not with alterations in biochemical composition. Even when using the latest-generation drugs, there were complaints of xerostomia associated with decrease in SSFR.
de Almeida
Patrícia Del Vigna
Pdel V
Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
Grégio
Ana Maria Trindade
AM
Brancher
João Armando
JA
Ignácio
Sérgio Aparecido
SA
Machado
Maria Angela Naval
MA
de Lima
Antônio Adilson Soares
AA
Azevedo
Luciana Reis
LR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002021:Buffers; D003124:Colorimetry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017186:Titrimetry; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002021:Buffers; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000516:alpha-Amylases