Methods: Ten patients with xerostomia, and or recurrent sialadenitis induced by RIT were included. Pilocarpine HCl was administered to each patient and compliance, subjective and objective measures were monitored for long period of time (mean 14.5 months).
Results: Patients presented significantly improvement manifested with decrease in episodes of sialadenitis and improved salivary flow. An approximately 250% increase in unstimulated salivary flow rate was found after pilocarpine HCl intake. Two patients discontinued treatment because of adverse effects and no subjective improvement.
Conclusion: Long term treatment with pilocarpine HCl is beneficial in the treatment of impaired salivary function in patients after RIT.