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Abstract
Objective: The purpose
of this review was to assess
the effectiveness of concurrent
pilocarpine treatment on xerostomia
induced by radiation in patients
suffering from malignancies.
Method:
I’m going to thoroughly
review electronic databases,
in order to find publications
examining the impact of simultaneous
pilocarpine treatment for
radiation-induced xerostomia.
Outcomes
of interest: Salivary
flow, quality of life, adverse
effects, patient-reported
xerostomia score, clinician-rated
xerostomia grade, were the
outcomes of interest.
Findings:
Simultaneous pilocarpine administration
during radiation therapy may
raise the salivary flow rate
six months after treatment
and lower the xerostomia grade
rated by the clinician. Pilocarpine
did not substantially affect
patient-reported xerostomia
during the first three months,
but by the sixth month, it
was better. Pilocarpine’s
side effects were moderate
and bearable.
Conclusion:
Concurrent pilocarpine administration
during radiation therapy lowers
the xerostomia severity and
increases the rate of salivary
flow.
Key
words: pilocarpine, xerostomia,
radiation
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