Pilocarpine for dry mouth from radiation: What are your thoughts?

Posted by AL GiL @jg99t9, Jul 18, 2025

Early on after radiation treatment I was prescribed Pilocarpine. 5mg three times a day. It didn't do anything for me. Then I googled it and somewhere it said it could take up to 9 months to see any results. Have any of you tried this drug for dry mouth, and what are your experiences?

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zenren14 | @zenren14 | Nov 24, 2025

@jg99t9
I was prescribed polycarpine by Oral surgeon for a short time some time ago. I was dizzy and fell down to my head a few times too. The side effects are worse than the results. Onco took me off.

William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Nov 24, 2025

I took this briefly under the brand name Salagin. Some improvement in saliva however a vast increase in sweating, which resulted in poor sleep. I realized that waking up in the night for a sip of water every few hours was a better option.

mikes45 | @mikes45 | Nov 24, 2025

I tried this drug for a few months, had bad side effects and, most importantly, it didn't help.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 8, 2025

In reply to @mikes45 "I tried this drug for a few months, had bad side effects and, most importantly, it..." + (show)

@mikes45, welcome. Did you have treatment for a head and neck cancer? How are you doing now?

mikes45 | @mikes45 | Dec 8, 2025

Yes, I had surgery for base of tongue cancer (also left tonsil and lymph nodes) in March 2020 followed by 30 radiation treatments. Doing OK but have swallowing challenges, exacerbated by dry mouth and thick saliva. As is said, the only patients that have to deal with long term side effects are the ones still alive. Be well.

zenren14 | @zenren14 | Dec 8, 2025

In reply to @mikes45 "Yes, I had surgery for base of tongue cancer (also left tonsil and lymph nodes) in..." + (show)

@mikes45
Sounds like you have accepted the new norm. As I can relate to your story too.

zenren14 | @zenren14 | Dec 8, 2025

In reply to @hrhwilliam "I took this briefly under the brand name Salagin. Some improvement in saliva however a vast..." + (show)

@hrhwilliam @mikes45
alot of prescriptions are trial and error
we are guinea piggies
perhaps the side effects are greater than the results.
Live Well with what we have.

mikes45 | @mikes45 | Dec 8, 2025

In reply to @zenren14 "@mikes45 Sounds like you have accepted the new norm. As I can relate to your story..." + (show)

@zenren14 we do the best we can. My diet is certainly not heart healthy as I amp up caloric intake with heavy cream, whole milk, and ice cream. Boost VHC has helped with maintaining my weight.