Radiotherapy-induced dry mouth, dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's Syndrome.

Pilocarpine is a cholinergic parasympathomimetic agent exerting a broad spectrum of pharmacologic effects with predominant muscarinic action. Pilocarpine, in appropriate dosage, can increase secretion by the exocrine glands.

There was a decrease in the rate of absorption of pilocarpine when taken with a high fat meal. Half life: 0.76 hours.

Patients with uncontrolled asthma, known hypersensitivity to pilocarpine, and when miosis is undesirable( e.g., in acute iritis and in narrow-angle glaucoma).

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Because no information is available on the use of oral pilocarpine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Sweating, nausea, rhinitis, diarrhea, chills, flushing, increased urinary frequency, dizziness, asthenia.

Radiotherapy-induced dry mouth: 5 mg PO TID, up to 30mg per day. Dry mouth due to Sjogren's syndrome: 5 mg PO QID.