Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of SS syrup, a Chinese medicine, and pilocarpine in treating patients with xerostomia.
Methods: Thirty-eight patients conformed to the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into two groups, they were treated by SS syrup (SS group) and pilocarpine (control group) respectively. Three indexes, i.e. questionnaire of dryness in mouth, total static salivary flow and dynamic salivary flow, before treatment, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Significant difference was shown in the 3 indexes in the SS group between before treatment and 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05), while in the control group significant difference was shown between before treatment and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment except for total dynamic salivary flow after I weck treatment (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: SS syrup, which has no adverse reaction, no contraindication, could be taken chronically, and shows good efficacy in improving the symptoms of xerostomia.