Drug-induced xerostomia as a cause of glossodynia

Severe xerostomia may be a primary cause of glossodynia. If radiation therapy and systemic disease are ruled out as causes of xerostomia, the wide variety of pharmacologic agents found in prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, common dietary components, and recreational drugs must be considered. The xerostomic side effect of a medication may be unavoidable; however, it may be minimized by alterations in diet, environment, or elimination of optional concurrent medications. When evaluating the patient with glossodynia, the practitioner must be aware of the many types of offending agents that contribute to a decrease in salivary flow. A clinical referral to a dentist to manage the oral complications of xerostomia is appropriate, although the patient's physician is the one who may make any changes in prescribed medications.