When treating dry mouth it may be worthwhile to first consider non-pharmaceutical measures e.g. frequent sips of cool drinks or sucking pieces of ice or sugar free fruit pastilles. Sugar-free chewing gum stimulates salivation in patients with residual salivary function.

Artificial saliva products

Cellulose-based and pH neutral

Oralieve

• Moisturising mouth gel (£3.16 = 50ml)

Indications

• Dry mouth

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Biotene

• Oralbalance dry mouth saliva replacement gel (£5.30 = 50g)
• Moisturising mouthwash (£5.67 = 500ml)

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Mucin-based (porcine) and pH neutral

AS Saliva Orthana

• Oral spray (£4.92 = 50ml)

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Other preparations

Salivix

• Pastilles (£3.79 = 50 pastilles)

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Glandosane

• Synthetic saliva spray

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Xerotin

• Oral spray (£6.86 = 100ml)

Notes

1. Prescribe by brand (to aid identification where products contain multiple ingredients, or to prevent confusion where multiple brands contain similar ingredients).

Parasympathomimetics

Pilocarpine

• Tablets 5mg (£41.14 = 84 tablets)

Indications

• Xerostomia following irradiation for head and neck cancer

Dose

• 5mg three times daily with or immediately after meals (last dose always with evening meal)