Cevimeline is an orally administered
muscarinic receptor agonist that is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of dry mouth in patients with
Sjogren's syndrome. Several well designed placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that 4-12 weeks'
therapy with
cevimeline 30 mg three times daily improved symptoms of dry mouth in patients with
Sjogren's syndrome. Other symptoms, such as
dry eye symptoms and overall dryness, also improved to a significantly greater extent with
cevimeline than with placebo. Moreover,
cevimeline significantly improved the salivary flow rate in patients with
Sjogren's syndrome. Increased salivary flow was maintained in the longer term with
cevimeline in patients with
Sjogren's syndrome and symptoms of dry mouth, according to the results of an open-label 52-week study. From week 20 onwards, rates of patient and investigator satisfaction with the
cevimeline dosage were > or =88%. Oral
cevimeline 30 mg three times daily was generally well tolerated in patients with
Sjogren's syndrome, with many of the most commonly reported adverse events reflecting the pharmacological action of the
drug.