Efficacy of a new oral lubricant solution in the management of psychotropic drug-induced xerostomia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Xerostomia is a subjective sensation of mouth dryness often occurring as an unwanted effect of psychotropic drugs. METHODS The clinical efficacy and acceptability of a new oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) oral spray (1 or 2 sprays up to 4 times daily) in the treatment of xerostomia was compared with those of a commercially available artificial saliva substitute (ASS [Saliveze]) in a 2-week, open-labeled, randomized, parallel-group study. Clinical assessment of xerostomia included evaluation of mouth dryness by means of a 10-cm-long visual analog scale, objective blinded assessment of the oral tissue condition by a dental hygienist by means of a 4-point ordinal scale, and subjective patient-based assessment of dry mouth symptoms by means of dichotomous responses to a questionnaire. [Day 14 - baseline] patient-based mouth dryness score was the primary end point. RESULTS Seventy-four patients (41 women and 33 men, 44 +/- 15 years) undergoing long-term psychotropic drug treatment were consecutively enrolled. At day 14, OGT resulted in better efficacy than ASS in mouth dryness score (mean difference, 1.2 +/- 0.4; P = 0.006), speech difficulties (mean difference, 1.2 +/- 0.4; P = 0.005), taste (mean difference, 1.1 +/- 0.4; P = 0.02), and overall mouth condition (mean difference, 1.4 +/- 0.9; P = 0.005). Taste of OGT was better than that of ASS (mean difference, 1.4 +/- 0.6; P = 0.04), as was OGT acceptability (mean difference, 1.4 +/- 0.9; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Oxygenated glycerol triester lubricant oral spray was superior to a commercially available ASS in improving xerostomia and overall condition of the oral tissue.