Efficacy of 1% Malic Acid in Patients with Antidepressant-Induced Xerostomia

Methods: This research took the form of a double-blind, randomized clinical trial at Faculty of Dentistry of University of Granada (Spain).  70 participants with antidepressant-induced xerostomia were divided into two groups: for the first ‘intervention group’ (35 subjects) a topical sialogogue spray (1% malic acid, Xeros Dentaid^®spray) was applied, while for the second ‘control group’ (35 subjects), a placebo spray was applied; for both groups the sprays were applied on demand during two weeks. The Dry Mouth Questionnaire (DMQ) was used to evaluate xerostomia symptoms before and after product/placebo application. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates, before and after application, were measured.

Results: DMQ scores increased significantly (clinically meaningful) from 1.2 ± 0.4 points to 3.4 ± 0.6  after 1% malic acid topical spray application (p < 0.05). After two weeks of 1% malic acid application, unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates increased significantly (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: A sialogogue spray containing 1% malic acid improved the quality of life of the patients suffering antidepressant-induced xerostomia and increased unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows rates.

This study was funded by the national project FIS-PI10/00932 (Spanish Government, Instituto de Salud Carlos III) and OTRI Project CNT-2856 University of Granada-Dentaid S.L. (Barcelona, Spain), within the framework of the research group “CTS-654, Pharmacological Research in Dentistry”, sponsored by the Regional Government of Andalucía (Spain).