I took salagen for a couple weeks with no side effects. Then again, I have plenty of side effects from the Iressa that they plan to keep me on for the next two years. My salivary glands seemed to improve a bit on their own and most of the taste came back rapidly (the dietician told me the zinc tablets were good for that)

SR, my tumor was located on the surpaglottis, but after radiation and chemotherapy, I never lost my ability to swallow. I did, however, lose interest in eating solid food for about six months. Perhaps someone else will post that had treatment for a base of tongue tumor.

Good luck to you.

Jen