The pharmacological treatment of voice disorders

The increasing diversity of purpose-built, synthetic and biogenetically engineered pharmaceuticals has led to a revival of interest in the pharmacological possibilities for the treatment of voice disorders. Where dysphonias arise as a part of a pathophysiological process, the pharmacological treatment of either the pathology or its associated symptoms may improve dysphonic voicing patterns. The treatment of symptoms such as cough and vocal fatigue are discussed together with treatment of allergic and other causes of inflammation or stiffening of the vocal tract. The pharmacological logical treatment of dysphonia due to defective neuromuscular control in dyskinetic and dystonic conditions is also discussed. Dysphonic voicing patterns are commonly multifactorial, and the author wishes to highlight problems encountered when attempting to adjust the performance of the vocal tract: imprecise targeting of the pathophysiological problems either by the physician or by the drug employed, and the systemic and attendant side-effects of drugs which may be thought to be appropriate.