Dry mouth can be directly related to prescription drugs and their side effects. Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia, is a condition when a person's salivary glands do not function properly, resulting in inadequate secretion of saliva in the mouth. The insufficient quantity of saliva in the mouth results in a dry mouth condition which causes several complications. There are three sets of saliva glands in the mouth. With some prescription drugs, one, two or all three glands are affected (as a side effect) and their saliva output is diminished. This is why the medical history of a patient is very important in the diagnosis of dry mouth. Medical history can show information about prescription drugs being used (or previously used) thereby giving an opportunity to change or lower the dosage of the drug. Some examples of prescription and over the counter drugs that cause dry mouth are:

Antihistamines:
Drugs of this group affect the production of saliva in the mouth. Benadryl is a common example of a drug responsible for the condition of dry mouth.

Pseudoephederine:
Medicines of this group are called decongestant and are easily available over the counter. Sudafed is a popular example of a decongestant.

Antidepressants:
Antidepressants are becoming more and more common both as prescriptions for and over the counter drugs. Medicines such as Flexaryl and Elavil are frequently recommended and can affect the quantity of saliva production.

Anorexiants:
The medicines of this group are meant to reduce obesity. They are also known as diet pills and are available everywhere.

Anticholinergics:
Scopolamine and Atropine are surgical drying agents.

Sedatives:
Sedatives also produce a number of side effects, one of which is dry mouth. Sedatives are relaxants or sleeping pills which can cause dry mouth, especially at night. Breathing through the mouth at night instead of the nose can exacerbate the dry mouth condition.

Antipsychotic drugs:
These drugs are used to treat psych-related disorders. Over use of these drugs can affect the exocrine glands.

Antihypertensive drugs:
Also known as blood pressure medicine, these drugs also cause dry mouth.

Anti-Parkinson agents and diuretics:
Also known as water pills, these prescription drugs are said to be potent cause of dry mouth.

Recreational/Illicit drugs:
Besides over the counter and prescription drugs, recreational and illicit drugs such as Cocaine, Ecstasy and Methamphetamines also affect saliva production in the mouth.

Prescription drugs for diabetes, Sarcoidosis and Erythematosis also cause dry mouth and are their prescription is usually halted at the onset of dry mouth - providing the patient alerts their doctor. Actually, dry mouth is a recognized condition and there are close to 4oo prescription drugs that are discontinued if saliva production in the mouth is affected. Sometimes the combination of two different drugs reacts and causes dry mouth. For example, Allegra D combined with monoamine inhibitors can result in dry mouth.

Some examples of drugs that cause dry mouth are:
A.R.M. caplet
Accure
Accutane
Acimax
Acitretin
Acrivatine
Aspas
Baclo
Baclofen
Baclohexal
Bancap
Banophen
Baribodonna
Beclodisk
Calcium glubionate
Calcium lactate
Calm X
Capotena
Capozide
Edronax
Effexor
Endocron
Imovane
Margesic


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