Comparison of the 1% and 2% Pilocarpine Mouthwash in Xerostomic Patients, a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Aims & Background: Pilocarpine is an accepted treatment for xerostomia, but limited research has been conducted on the oral topical form. This study aimed to compare the effect of 1% and 2% pilocarpine mouthwash in xerostomic patients. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 48 patients with xerostomia referred to were randomly divided into three groups to measure the effect of 1% and 2% pilocarpine and placebo mouthwashes on saliva levels. The amount of saliva in the 1st and 14th days was measured at 0, 45, 60 and 75 minutes, while patients used their mouthwash three times a day for 14 days. On the 1st and 14th days, patients filled out information forms on xerostomia and drug side effects before and after the intervention. Results: On the 1st day, the mean salivary flow at 45, 60, and 75 minutes in the 2% and 1% pilocarpine mouthwash was significantly higher than the placebo mouthwash group (p<0.05). On the 14th day, the mean salivary flow time at 45 minutes in the 2% pilocarpine mouthwash group was significantly higher than the placebo mouthwash group (p=0.007). The mean salivary flow at 60 and 75 minutes in the 2% (p<0.001) and 1% pilocarpine mouthwash (p=0.028) was significantly higher than the placebo group. Also, in these two times, the salivary flow in the 2% pilocarpine mouthwash group was significantly higher than the 1% pilocarpine mouthwash (p<0.05). No side effects were observed in any of the patients.Conclusions: The study showed that 5 ml of 2% and 1% pilocarpine mouthwash for two weeks increased saliva flow in xerostomic patients, respectively, compared to placebo without any side effects.