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Cevimeline

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Abstract

  • ▲ Cevimeline is an orally administered muscarinic receptor agonist that is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of dry mouth in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.

  • ▲ Several well designed placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that 4–12 weeks’ therapy with cevimeline 30 mg three times daily improved symptoms of dry mouth in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. Other symptoms, such as dry eye symptoms and overall dryness, also improved to a significantly greater extent with cevimeline than with placebo. Moreover, cevimeline significantly improved the salivary flow rate in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.

  • ▲ Increased salivary flow was maintained in the longer term with cevimeline in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and symptoms of dry mouth, according to the results of an open-label 52-week study. From week 20 onwards, rates of patient and investigator satisfaction with the cevimeline dosage were ≥88%.

  • ▲ Oral cevimeline 30 mg three times daily was generally well tolerated in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, with many of the most commonly reported adverse events reflecting the pharmacological action of the drug.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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Acknowledgements and Disclosures

The manuscript was reviewed by: I. Al-Hashimi, Salivary Dysfunction Clinic, Department of Periodontics, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas, USA; K.C.M. Leung, Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR.

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wolters Kluwer Health ¦ Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Juliane Weber & Gillian M. Keating

  2. Wolters Kluwer Health, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA

    Juliane Weber & Gillian M. Keating

Authors
  1. Juliane Weber
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  2. Gillian M. Keating
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Correspondence to Gillian M. Keating.

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Weber, J., Keating, G.M. Cevimeline. Drugs 68, 1691–1698 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200868120-00006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200868120-00006

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