You may also sometimes feel like your mouth is completely dry, like a desert. This makes it difficult not only to speak, swallow food, but sometimes even to taste. We call this condition 'Dry Mouth'. Due to some medical conditions like Sjögren's syndrome or due to other medications, the production of saliva in the mouth can be reduced in this way. So, a special medicine that doctors prescribe as a treatment for this is called Cevimeline. Today, we will talk about this medicine in simple terms.
What is Cevimeline?
Simply put, Cevimeline is a medication that stimulates the salivary glands in your mouth and increases saliva production. Saliva is essential for keeping your mouth moist. So what this medication does is increase the production of saliva and relieve the dryness in your mouth. Then it becomes much easier for you to talk and swallow food. One of the popular names for this in the market is Evoxac.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting Cevimeline, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
- Angina ( chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle).
- Glaucoma (a condition caused by increased eye pressure).
- Any other heart disease .
- If you have had a heart attack before.
- Inflammatory conditions of the eye such as iritis .
- Irregular heartbeat .
- If you have lung diseases like asthma .
- If you are allergic to Cevimeline or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Don't hide this information from the doctor, because it is very important for your safety.
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. There are a few things to keep in mind about this.
- This medicine comes in the form of a capsule. Swallow it whole with a glass of water .
- Follow the instructions on the prescription label exactly.
- This can be taken with or without food.
- The most important thing is to take the right dose at the right time. Don't take more than the doctor tells you to.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice.
- Children may need special care when taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
What to do if you take too much medicine (overdose)?
Imagine if you accidentally take more medicine than you should, it could be dangerous. If that happens, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to someone else just because it has worked for you. It may not work for that person.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Cevimeline can interact with some other medications you are taking. This may decrease the effectiveness of this medication or increase the risk of side effects. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, or vitamin).
| Drug category | Types of drugs that may interact |
|---|---|
| Some medications for high blood pressure | (e.g. Beta-blockers) |
| Some medications given for seizures | Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital |
| Some antibiotics | Clarithromycin, Erythromycin |
| Antifungals | Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole |
| Medicines for HIV/AIDS | (Such as protease inhibitors) |
| Some medicines for tuberculosis | Rifabutin, Rifampin |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Vision changes: You may experience some changes in your vision, especially blurred vision at night, while taking this medication. Therefore, it is wise to avoid activities that require high alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
- Sweating and dehydration: One of the side effects of this medication is that it increases sweating. If you sweat more than usual, you may lose a lot of water from your body and become dehydrated. To prevent this, drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day. If you feel that you are sweating excessively, talk to your doctor about it.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Cevimeline can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Difficulty breathing | New or worsening shortness of breath. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Vision changes | Things like blurred vision. |
| Diarrhea | Diarrhea. |
| Excessive sweating | Sweating more than normal. |
| Headache | Headache . |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Runny nose or stuffy nose. |
How do you store your medicine?
It is also very important to store medicines correctly.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets .
- It is best to store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Cevimeline is a medication that increases saliva production and reduces dry mouth.
- Before starting this medication, you should tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially heart disease, asthma, glaucoma) and any other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine at the prescribed dose and at the prescribed time. Do not stop taking it suddenly without medical advice.
- If you experience a sudden allergic reaction (skin rash, difficulty breathing), chest pain, or changes in your heartbeat, seek medical advice immediately.
- Night vision may change while taking the medication, so be careful when driving and doing tasks that require attention.
- If you sweat a lot, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
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