Pilocarpine, an old drug; a new formulation

This article is intended to familiarize dental practitioners with a new drug preparation, Salagen, which is specifically indicated for treatment of dry mouth. Salagen, an oral form of the drug pilocarpine, is a parasympathetic agonist which causes widespread effects on many vital tissues and organs, including the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscle, and exocrine glands. The safety and efficacy of pilocarpine relies greatly on the accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of dry mouth and an understanding of its mechanism of action. The purpose of this article is to provide dental practitioners with a brief review of the physiology of salivary secretion and the pharmacology of pilocarpine, including its mechanism of action. It is hoped that this information will provide a better understanding of the appropriate use of this medication.