title: Efficacy and safety of pilocarpine mouthwash in elderly patients with xerostomia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Xerostomia is a common condition and can impair quality of life. Pilocarpine tablet ingestion can relieve dry mouth symptoms, but produces numerous adverse effects. We investigated the safety and efficacy of pilocarpine mouthwash.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty elderly patients were randomly divided into a pilocarpine mouthwash or water rinse (control) group. Outcomes were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) scores and stimulated salivary flow rate before and 1 month after treatment. Patients recorded all adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the pilocarpine group, we evaluated safety in 24 patients and efficacy in 19 patients. In the water rinse group, we evaluated safety and efficacy in 14 patients. VAS scores were significantly reduced after pilocarpine mouthwash treatment (70 ± 12.9 to 47.9 ± 13.1, p < 0.05). Overall improvement was observed in 47% of the pilocarpine group compared to 14% of the controls (p < 0.05). Stimulated salivary flow rate significantly increased (0.71 ± 0.14 to 0.83 ± 0.12 mL/minute, p < 0.05) after pilocarpine mouthwash treatment. Five of 24 patients reported side effects after pilocarpine mouthwash use, predominantly limited to oral discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilocarpine mouthwash relieved dry mouth symptoms and improved saliva production with minor side effects.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.|Department of Otolaryngology, Tono Kosei Hospital, Mizunami, Gifu, Japan.
authors: Tohru
authors: T
authors: Tanigawa
authors: Public Health Center, Okazaki City Medical Association, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
authors: Jun-ichi
authors: J
authors: Yamashita
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Sato
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial University, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri, Nagano, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Shinohara
authors: Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University, Tsurumai, Nagoya, Japan.
authors: Rei
authors: R
authors: Shibata
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.
authors: Hiromi
authors: H
authors: Ueda
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.|Department of Otolaryngology, Tono Kosei Hospital, Mizunami, Gifu, Japan.
authors: Hirokazu
authors: H
authors: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010862:Pilocarpine
keywords: aged; mouth dryness; mouthwash; pilocarpine; xerostomia