title: Sublingual atropine drops for the treatment of pediatric sialorrhea.
abstract: Excess oral secretions or sialorrhea is a common problem affecting children and adults with neurological disorders, as well as those approaching the end of life because of a variety of underlying illnesses. Systemic anticholinergic medications are often prescribed in an attempt to improve quality of life and reduce complications; yet, response rates are variable, and a sizable proportion of patients discontinue these drugs as a result of intolerable side effects. This report describes the successful use of a local treatment, sublingually delivered ophthalmic atropine drops, to reduce sialorrhea in a child receiving palliative care. In addition, medical evidence for the safety and efficacy of traditionally prescribed systemic medications for the treatment of pediatric sialorrhea is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children's Centre, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Division of Pediatric Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. adam.rapoport@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rapoport
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007966:Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010166:Palliative Care; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D001285:Atropine