BACKGROUND: This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review on parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of @entity3359 due to radiotherapy (published in Issue 3, 2007). @entity3359 is a predictable side effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck region. @entity2134 (a @entity12334 ) is licensed in many countries for the treatment of radiation-induced @entity3359 . Other parasympathomimetics have also been used 'off licence' in the treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced @entity3359 (specifically radiation-induced @entity2133 ). SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we ran searches of the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 6), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in July 2015. We checked the reference lists of retrieved articles for additional studies, contacted experts in the field for unpublished and ongoing trials, and contacted relevant pharmaceutical companies for unpublished and ongoing trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: The selection criteria for the review were: 1) randomised controlled trials; 2) @entity1 suffering from radiation-induced @entity3359 ; 3) @entity1 treated with parasympathomimetic drugs; and 4) assessable data available on primary outcome measure. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The two review authors independently collected data from the full-text version of relevant papers including: 1) citation details; 2) @entity1 ; 3) interventions; 4) assessments; 5) outcomes (that is efficacy, tolerability); and 6) quality issues.Due to a lack of appropriate data, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: In the original review, three studies, including a total of 298 @entity1 , fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All three studies involved the use of @entity2134 . We have included no additional studies in the update of the review; we have excluded eight additional studies.The data suggest that @entity2134 is more effective than placebo and at least as effective as artificial saliva. The response rate was 42% to 51%. The time to response was up to 12 weeks. The overall side effect rate was high, and side effects were the main reason for withdrawal (6% to 15% of @entity1 taking 5 mg three times a day had to withdraw). The side effects were usually the result of generalised parasympathomimetic stimulation (for example sweating, @entity10 , urinary frequency, vasodilatation). Response rates were not dose dependent, but side effect rates were dose dependent. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence to support the use of @entity2134 in the treatment of radiation-induced @entity2133 . Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of other parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced @entity2133 . Available studies suggest that approximately half of @entity1 will respond, but side effects can be problematic. The conclusions of the update are the same as the conclusions of the original review, since no new relevant studies have been published in the interim.

Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of XXXX due to radiotherapy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'patients', 'people'] @entity3359 :: ('MESH:D012466', 'Disease') :: ['salivary gland dysfunction', 'Salivary gland dysfunction'] @entity2133 :: ('MESH:D014987', 'Disease') :: ['xerostomia'] @entity2134 :: ('MESH:D010862', 'Chemical') :: ['Pilocarpine hydrochloride', 'pilocarpine hydrochloride'] @entity12334 :: ('CHEBI:23213', 'Chemical') :: ['choline ester'] @entity10 :: ('MESH:D006261', 'Disease') :: ['headaches']
@entity3359 :: (MESH:D012466,Disease) :: ['salivary gland dysfunction']
