Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-titration study of oral pilocarpine for treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.
To determine the efficacy and safety of pilocarpine hydrochloride for symptomatic relief of postradiation xerostomia symptoms and for saliva production in patients with head and neck cancer. ⋯ It is concluded that pilocarpine produces clinically significant benefits for the symptomatic treatment of postradiation xerostomia. Best results were obtained with continuous treatment for 8 to 12 weeks with doses greater than 2.5 mg three times per day.