Which salivary stimulant is approved by the FDA for the relief of xerostomia?

Get ready for the American Board of General Dentistry Exam. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations for thorough preparation. Excel in your exam!

Pilocarpine HCl and Cevimeline HCl are both medications specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of xerostomia, which is a condition characterized by dry mouth due to reduced or absent saliva flow. Pilocarpine works as a cholinergic agonist, stimulating the salivary glands to increase saliva production. Cevimeline, similarly, is effective in promoting salivation and is often used for patients with conditions like Sjögren's syndrome or those undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, where xerostomia is a common side effect.

The presence of both these medications in the correct answer highlights their established roles and significance in the clinical management of dry mouth, making this choice accurate and relevant for practitioners looking to provide relief to patients suffering from xerostomia.

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