Motrin (ibuprofen) Causes Xerostomia/Dry Mouth/Cotton Mouth

Motrin is an ibuprofen drug commonly used to treat mild to intermediate levels of pain caused by cold and flu, arthritis, menstruation, dental work, headaches and minor injuries. Motrin is part of a class of drugs known as NSAIDs that are safe for most people, but can have some scary side effects in the form of ulcers and strokes. While everyone who takes Motrin should be aware of these risks, more minor side effects, such as Xerostomia or dry mouth, are much more common.

As an anti-inflammatory drug, Motrin helps to relieve pain by reducing pressure on the affected areas. One way this action is achieved is through a diuretic effect, which depletes moisture from the body, which includes the mouth, hence the dry mouth problems that are commonly reported with Motrin use. While the side effect of dry mouth is merely annoying in the short term, it can have long-term consequences including bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.

For these reasons, it is important to combat Motrin-induced Xerostomia or dry mouth when it occurs. Additionally, if you experience the symptoms of dry mouth after you are no longer using Motrin, you should speak to your doctor to prevent lasting damage to your teeth and gums. It is also important to be aware that dry mouth may be a symptom of other medical concerns.

Several common behaviors can cause Motrin-induced dry mouth to be more severe. These include drinking tea and coffee (caffeine also has a diuretic effect and dehydrates the mouth and body), consuming excessive amounts of sugar (sugar helps the production of harmful mouth bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay and help to exacerbate dry mouth) and general dehydration. Making sure you are getting enough water, while also avoiding beverages that don't actually enhance your hydration is a great way to combat Motrin-induced Xerostomia. Adding a bit of lemon to a glass of water (avoid lemonade, it's too sugary) can also help stimulate your salivary glands.

Xerostomia can also be a recurring problem in people who sleep with their mouth open for any number of reasons, including sleep apnea, a deviated septum in the nose or plain old congestion brought on by a cold or allergies. If you are taking Motrin to relieve the aches and pains of the flu and are also suffering from congestion, be aware that you are particularly likely to experience dry mouth for the duration of the illness and take extra steps to make sure your mouth stays moist.