Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes. The Mayo Clinic says that additional symptoms include trouble swallowing or speaking, joint pain or stiffness, fatigue, dry cough, skin rashes and swollen salivary glands. Dental cavities, yeast infections, blurry vision or corneal ulcers can result if Sjogren's syndrome is left untreated. Medications are available for the effective management of Sjogren's syndrome.
Pilocarpine
Pilocarpine is a medication used to increase saliva saliva production. According to Drugs.com, pilocarpine specifically works to treat dry mouth as it affects the nervous system.
Pilocarpine's common side effects include headache, dizziness, runny nose, chills, increased sweating, flushing of the face or neck and visual changes. These side effects should go away once the body becomes acclimated to pilocarpine. Call a physician when these symptoms remain for more than one week. Pilocarpine's serious effects include confusion, changes in behavior, an irregular heartbeat, eye pain, trouble breathing and eye pain. Get help immediately when any of these serious side effects arise.
Changing pilocarpine's dosage might be in order if you also take blood pressure or heart medication, antidepressants, antipsychotics or seizure medications. Inform your physician about all medications taken as they may interact with pilocarpine.
Pilocarpine is available as a tablet. Typical dosage is 5mg daily.
Cevimeline
Cevimeline belongs to a class of medicines called cholinergic agonists. Like pilocarpine, it is also used to increase saliva secretion. MedlinePlus says that cevimeline's common side effects include sweating, nausea and runny nose. Tell a physician if these symptoms worsen or do not disappear within a week. Cevimeline's serious effects include visual changes, a headache, blood pressure changes, stomach cramping, trouble breathing, eye tearing, tremors of the hands and confusion. Tell a doctor if these symptoms develop.
MedlinePlus says that taking cevimeline while taking metoprolol, labetolol, pindolol, propanolol, clarithromycin or indinavir may require a change in dosage. Inform your physician about all of the non-prescription and prescription medications you are taking.
Cevimeline is a tablet taken three times each day.
Hydroxychloroquine
The Mayo Clinic says that hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat widespread Sjogren's syndrome. Typically, this medication is used to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder.
MedlinePlus says that hydroxychloroquine's common side effects include vomiting, a skin rash, headache, diarrhea, nausea, poor appetite and vomiting. These symptoms should go away after a week but call a physician if these symptoms worsen or persist. Hydroxychloroquine's serious side effects include convulsions, problems hearing, muscle weakness, light sensitivity, bleeding or bruising of the skin and hair loss. Tell a doctor if hydroxychloroquine causes these effects.
Hydroxychloroquine is a tablet that should be take as prescribed.
