Salagen
Generic name:pilocarpine (oral) [ PYE-loe-KAR-peen ]
Drug class:Cholinergic agonists
What is Salagen?
Salagen affects the nervous system and increases saliva secretion in the mouth.
Salagen is used to treat dry mouth caused by Sjogren's syndrome, or by radiation to treat head and neck cancer.
Salagen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use Salagen if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or asthma that is untreated or uncontrolled.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Salagen if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
untreated or uncontrolled asthma; or
narrow-angle glaucoma.
To make sure Salagen is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
glaucoma or vision problems;
kidney disease;
heart disease;
gallbladder problems;
mental illness;
if you take heart or blood pressure medicine; or
if you use a bronchodilator to treat a breathing disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Salagen will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Salagen.
It is not known whether pilocarpine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take Salagen?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take Salagen with or without food.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Salagen. This medicine can cause increased sweating and you may get dehydrated easily.
Use Salagen regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.