I took Salagen tablets 3X's a day all through radiation and for several years after. I still have a fair amount of saliva, albeit thicker than before, and would have even more if the first surgeon hadn't arbitraily removed my submandible saliva gland for no reason at all. His philosphy was - 'it won't work after radiation so let's remove it'. Don't let that happen to you.

The only regular side effect I experienced from taking Salagen was heavy perspiration for a few minutes about a half hour after I took the pill. I too have no need to carry water bottle.

The only time I had a really bad side effect was on a day when the humidity was about 99% and the temperature 100 degrees. I who rarely perspires was sweating so heavily that I couldn't see. Once I stopped taking the pills, that problem went away.

I would strongly recommend taking Salagen or equivalent pills during and after radiation if you don't live in a very hot, humid environment. They are very tiny tablets so easy to swallow.