Pilocarpine for the treatment of salivary glands' impairment caused by radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of single-dose pilocarpine hydrochloride 5 mg on the whole unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow in patients suffering from thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine therapy, and to investigate the changes in vital signs during the treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five such patients were referred with complaints of dry mouth, rampant caries, and pain in the parotid gland region or history of chronic recurrent suppurative sialodenitis. A single dose of 5 mg pilocarpine hydrochloride was administered to each patient and blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and salivary secretion rate were monitored at 1, 2 and 3 h. RESULTS: A significant elevation of unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate was observed in four patients without significant alteration of the monitored vital signs. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pilocarpine hydrochloride may be beneficial in the case of impaired salivary function in patients treated with radioiodine.