Salagen
Salagen helps your body produce more saliva, tears, and other fluids, relieving dry mouth and eyes caused by head or neck radiation therapy or Sjögren's syndrome.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
5 mg
Active Ingredient
Pilocarpine hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Merus Labs Luxco II S.à R.L.
How to Use
Dosage
For patients who have had head or neck radiation: one tablet (5 mg) three times a day. For patients with Sjögren's syndrome: one tablet (5 mg) four times a day.
Method
Take tablets by mouth with a glass of water, with or right after a meal. Space doses evenly throughout the day. Take the last dose with dinner (radiation therapy) or just before bedtime (Sjögren's syndrome).
Important
Maximum 30 mg (6 tablets) per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Sweating
- •Headache
- •Increased urge to urinate
RARE
- •Weakness
- •Chills
- •Runny nose
- •Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching)
- •Dizziness
- •Diarrhea, constipation
- •Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
- •Increased salivation
- •Sudden flushing, increased blood pressure
- •Palpitations (feeling of fast, strong, or irregular heartbeat)
- •Watery eyes, blurred vision or other vision problems, red and swollen eyes (conjunctivitis), eye pain
- •Sudden urge to urinate
- •Flatulence (gas)
- •Breathing difficulties
- •Stomach or abdominal cramps
- •Changes in heart rate (e.g., slow, fast, irregular), heart conduction problems
- •Severely low blood pressure, potentially leading to unconsciousness (shock)
- •Low blood pressure
- •Tremors
- •Changes in mental state (e.g., memory problems, hallucinations, agitation, mood swings, confusion)
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to pilocarpine hydrochloride or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have uncontrolled asthma.
- Do not use if you have uncontrolled heart or kidney disease.
- Do not use if you have an eye condition where pupil constriction should be avoided (e.g., acute inflammation of the iris).
- Talk to your doctor if you have a chronic illness that could worsen with this medicine.
Show 4 more warnings
- If you sweat heavily, drink plenty of fluids. Contact your doctor if you cannot drink enough, as dehydration can be dangerous.
- Not for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
- Do not use during pregnancy unless advised by your doctor. Use effective contraception if you can become pregnant. Discuss breastfeeding with your doctor.
- This medicine may cause dizziness or vision problems, especially in the dark. Do not drive or use machines if this happens.