[Treatment of drug-induced dryness of mouth in psychiatric pateints--a controlled comparative study (author's transl)].

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of various substances on salivary secretion in 25 psychiatric inpatients suffering from depression or schizoprenic disorders. It is well known that tricyclic neuroleptics and anti-depressants lower the rate of salivary excretion and lead to hyposalivation and a dry mouth. The following methods were studied on their effect to compensate hyposalivation: Distigminbromid, sweets, Glandosane, a new synthetic saliva, and water which was gustatory adopted. Salivary flow was measured according to Matzker (7). Subjective feelings of thirst and mouth dryness were recorded by selfconstructed tests. Only Glandosane and Distigminbromid compensated mouth dryness. The recorded amount of salivary flow was within the range of normal controls. There were no significant correlations between the subjective test answers and the objective measurement of salivary rate. Improvement of depression by application of Glandosane could not be observed. Patients treated with Glandosane felt most comfortable whereas in those treated with Distigminbromid side effects as digestive disorders, urinary disorders and changes in perspiration were observed.