Kevin,

Pilocarpine is a great saliva stimulator.
Check out this website for complete information.
http://www.drugs.com/cons/Pilocarpine.html.
It is very improtant to drink extra fluids while taking it.

Cheers,

Mike

Many who try pilocarpine do not get much help from it. While it may get a bit more saliva for you, I think that the point that everyone ignores is that when the gland is dead, nothing so far brings it back to life and production. Pilocarpine's course of action stimulates ALL the possible moisture producing micro glands in your mouth (which are numerous -think thousands of tiny pores- and do not just include the major salivary glands but those single pores that cover much of the mucous membranes of the oral environment). Note though that it is not a localized effect, and plan on sweating like a bull in heat. My personal attempt at using this stuff left me with more than sweaty pits, palms, and more private parts. It was a genuinely uncomfortable experience for the minor oral benefit. I will spare you articulating the BO issue that accompanies copious perspiration. Your mileage may vary......

I have to say Brian, that has to be the most humerous post I have seen on this site! All true.
But your description nearly broke a few ribs, I haven't laughed that hard in years.

Take care,

Mike

Thanks Mike - I visited that site when the doc first told me about the drug. I keep my water bottle handy and I am still in the neighborhood of 4 liters/day.

I must be one of the semi-lucky ones. The pilocarpine has helped some, but some is better than none and the other side effects you mention Brian are not quite that out-of-control for me. <<BIG GRIN>>

Kevin

My husband completed his radiation on 12/05/06. He was told he would probably lose his entire full beard permanently, but it is back except for one tiny area. He was told that he would not lose hair on his head, but he did have quite a lot of fall out. That has also now seemed to have stopped. He has also been taking some vitamins to help with the hair situation. He had a follow up exam yesterday & the doctor indicates he looks great, he is gaining weight, his throat looks good. He has another PET scan coming up in October, but first CT and PET scans were fine - Great News. Good luck with your recovery

I'm curious if Evoxac works similarly or different to Pilocarpine. Does anyone have experience with Evoxac that they could share regarding the saliva issue?