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Efficacy of cevimeline vs. pilocarpine in the secretion of saliva: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Brimhall Jae,
Jhaveri Malhar A.,
Yepes Juan F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/scd.12010
Subject(s) - pilocarpine , saliva , medicine , analysis of variance , significant difference , anesthesia , post hoc analysis , psychiatry , epilepsy
Objectives To determine the efficacy and compare the side‐effects of cevimeline and pilocarpine in the secretion of saliva in patients with xerostomia. Methods A randomized, cross‐over, double blind study was designed. Fifteen patients with diagnosis of xerostomia were assigned to take either 5 mg of pilocarpine or 30 mg of cevimeline three times a day for four weeks. Salivary flow rates were measured during the initial baseline, first and second month appointments. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA and post hoc t ‐tests. Results Twelve patients completed both medication treatments. Although both medications proved to increase salivary secretion, there was no significant difference between pilocarpine and cevimeline. Also, the perceived side‐effects between the two medications were similar. Conclusion Both medications increased the secretion of saliva at the end of four weeks. However, there was a slightly higher increment in saliva with pilocarpine. However, the difference was not statistically significant.