Abstract
Impaired salivary gland function can be a major cause of late morbidity following the treatment of head and neck cancer with radiotherapy. A large number of commonly prescribed medications can also reduce salivary gland function. We report three patients with already impaired salivary gland function following successful radiotherapy in whom additional prescribed medication led to an increased reduction in salivary flow, thus further impairing the quality of life of these patients. Stopping the medication resulted in subjective and objective improvement in salivary gland function.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Amiloride / adverse effects*
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Amitriptyline / adverse effects*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
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Cisplatin / administration & dosage
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Drug Combinations
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Female
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Humans
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Hydrochlorothiazide / adverse effects*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
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Radiation Injuries / etiology*
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Radiation Injuries / physiopathology
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Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
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Salivary Glands / drug effects
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Salivary Glands / physiopathology*
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Salivary Glands / radiation effects
Substances
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Drug Combinations
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Hydrochlorothiazide
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Amitriptyline
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amiloride, hydrochlorothiazide drug combination
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Amiloride
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Cisplatin