David,

I've been taking salagen (now the generic oral pilocarpine) for about 16 years -- ever since the clinical trial stage. It has helped me a great deal with salivary function.

When I had a recent checkup with my RO, he said he had seen studies that showed the following results with salagen: 1/3 positive benefit, 1/3 placebo effect, 1/3 no benefit. I suppose a lot depends on what's left of your salivary glands after the end of treatment. I know some of my salivary glands were removed during surgery, and the remainder were pretty well toasted during radiation (XRT), but I've still gotten back quite a bit with medication.

Cathy

Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989