Acta medica Croatica : c̆asopis Hravatske akademije medicinskih znanosti
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Pilocarpine in the prevention of postirradiation xerostomia.
During radiation therapy to the head and neck region, salivary gland hypofunction commonly develops. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the sialogogue pilocarpine given during radiation therapy may reduce the severity of xerostomia and salivary dysfunction. ⋯ No drug effect was observed in the glands that were completely irradiated. Thus, pilocarpine appeared to stimulate salivary tissues outside the radiation field.