Can anyone tell me the side effects from pilocarpine? Once you start it, does a person tend to need more?
I?ve tried every losenges out there. It only works while I have it in my mouth. Stops working within one minute after removing or stoping it. The exylimelts help me wake up ok. But I have dry mouth within a few minutes.
Once you start on these meds...do you depend on them? If the very bad dry mouth is mostly from another med is it still worth taking the pilocarpine?
Thank you.
Kathy...thank you for this: ?I started out on Pilocarpine maximum dose four times daily, but it just wasn?t strong enough for me. I think Evoxac is more expensive but my insurance will pay for either - at least for right now. You might want to start out on Pilocarpine and see what it does...?
Nomad,
Extremely dry mouth can be very uncomfortable. I was so dry that I had difficulty talking - a lot of hoarseness and dry chronic cough. I had to speak constantly on the phone for my job. I had issues with chronic thrush. I drank gallons of water with little relief. I had difficulty chewing and swallowing my food. I developed respiratory problems.
I got immediate relief with Pilocarpine but it only lasted for a little over an hour after I took it. Pilocarpine made me break out into a sweat but it was worth it. My salivary glands were severely damaged by Sjogrens. I ended up on Evoxac which was much better for me. It lasted for three to four hours after I took it. The side effects are similar to Pilocarpine but I?m very used to them. They no longer bother me.
I am dependent on Evoxac but I blame Sjogrens for that. Everyone is different. I don?t think it would hurt for you to try something new for your symptoms. You can always stop at any time.
Many people get by on small doses of Pilocarpine. I had to get used to taking Evoxac but it has made a world of difference for me. The longer I was on it, the better I felt.
I hope you find some relief from your symptoms. I?m sure many more people here have good advice.
Kathy
Thank you!!! I have an early morning appt with my GP on Wednesday. What is a small dose of Pilocarpine?
Nomad,
I believe the maximum dose of Pilocarpine is 5mg, four times daily. A smaller dose might be like taking it just twice per day? Many people get by on that. Not me but many others.
I think you should ask your Dr if you can try it. Or she could just order it four times per day for you and you could experiment with what works best for you. You do have to get used to it. I?d try it when you are at home. It can cause increased sweating but I didn?t care cause my mouth felt so much better.
Let us know how things go.
Kathy
The pilocarpine affects people differently. I could not take more than a low dose as I would sweat so bad that I would almost forget about my eyes...which isn't a totally desirable situation.
If anyone is in doubt about their dosage I would advise you to call and check with your doctor as Pilocarpine can have some adverse effects at times at higher dosages usually. It is so easy to just increase a med without giving it much thought but there are times we need to ask someone. If nothing else start out by asking your pharmacist. Any pharmacist worth their salt will be honest if they don't really know something or if they think you should check with your doctor. Good luck to all. Merry Christmas also. meirish