Pamine (Methscopolamine) Causes Xerostomia/Dry Mouth/Cotton Mouth

Pamine, also known as methscopolamine, is a prescription medication used to control peptic ulcers by reducing the amount of acid the stomach secretes. Like all medications that reduce the amount of fluid produced by various bodily organs, Pamine can cause xerostomia (also known as dry or cotton mouth) as a common side effect.

While Pamine induced dry mouth can seem like a merely trivial or annoying problem, it can have possible serious consequences and it is important to be attentive to it. Over the long term dry mouth can lead to an increase in tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, so doing your best to stay hydrated and keep your mouth moist is important while taking Pamine.

While taking Pamine make sure you drink enough water each day. Most people in Western societies don't get enough water and think that other beverages are adequate to help with hydration. They're often not. While taking Pamine be sure to get your eight to ten glasses of water a day. Coffee and tea don't count as caffeine acts a a diuretic and can contribute to dehydration and dry mouth.

To avoid dry mouth while taking Pamine, it is also in your best interest to avoid excessively sugary beverages, as these promote bacteria growth in the mouth that can aggravate dry mouth and its consequences.

One key to combating dry mouth while taking Pamine is to stimulate your mouth's production of saliva. You can do this by sucking on sguar free candy, chewing sugar-free gum, or even sucking on the pits of some fruits. Snacks that are non-starchy (starch turns to sugar and can aggravate dry mouth) but chewy such as vegetarian or beef jerky can also be useful in the war against dry mouth. Adding just a touch of lemon to you water can also help stimulate saliva production.

Be aware that taking other medications in combination with Pamine can amplify the dry mouth effect. For safety's sake always discuss the other medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist and if dry mouth is a problem for you while taking Pamine, ask about this issue in particular.

Additionally, dry mouth can be a sign of other medical concerns. If the problem does no go away once you stop taking Pamine, be sure to let your doctor know. Your dentist may also have some useful tips on addressing dry mouth as this problem is a leading concern for dentists looking to keep teeth healthy.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/pamine.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/methscopolamine-oral/article.htm

http://professionalpatient.typepad.com/professional_patient/2008/02/coping-with-a-d.html