The sensation of oral dryness is primarily due to salivary gland hypofunction and to the resultant decrease in the flow of saliva. These changes are mainly caused by systemic diseases and by the intake of dryness-inducing (xerogenic) medications. Of the 24 most frequently prescribed drugs in the United States in 2001, 63% of the generics and 52% of the brand name drugs were xerogenic¹. Moreover, it has been shown that the prevalence of dry mouth is directly proportional to the total number of drugs taken per day. There are about 1800 drugs in 80 drug classes which have the capacity to induce xerostomia.

Though present in subjects of all ages, the presence of oral dryness is particularly common among the elderly. More than any other sector of the population, it is they who have more diseases and take more drugs. Recent studies have shown that 52% of the men and 65% of the women greater than 65 years of age take drugs on a daily basis. Eleven percent of the males and 24% of the females take more than 4 drugs per day. Adverse reactions to drugs occurs 3 times more frequently in the older population.

This "Practitioner Portal" is about DRUGS and DRY MOUTH. It enables health providers to rapidly identify those drugs which induce oral dryness. It provides their generic and U.S. brand names, the class of drugs to which they belong, how they are supplied and their dryness-inducing potential. Summary information about drugs which may induce dryness of the eyes is also shown. Moreover, data are provided regarding the causes, symptoms, signs and treatment of xerostomia. The principal goal of this portal is to increase the awareness of the medical community , patients and the pharmaceutical industry to the morbid associations and consequences of the drug-dry mouth relationship. It is a guide, therefore, for physicians, dentists, nurses, dental hygienists, patients, pharmacists, the pharmaceutical industry, medical and social scientists and others interested in evaluating and improving the people's health.

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