A medicine that stimulates saliva for a dry mouth
Cevimeline
A medicine that stimulates the salivary glands to make more saliva, used to relieve a dry mouth.
What is Cevimeline?
Cevimeline is a medicine that stimulates the glands in the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps relieve a very dry mouth, particularly in people with Sjogren's syndrome (a condition where the body's immune system affects the glands that make saliva and tears). It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include sweating, feeling sick and other tummy effects, because it acts on glands and the gut. It is used with caution in people with asthma, certain heart conditions or narrow-angle glaucoma, as it can make these worse.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Cevimeline — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Cevimeline is a cholinergic medicine, meaning it stimulates certain glands in the body, in this case mainly the salivary glands, to make more saliva. It is used to relieve the symptoms of a very dry mouth, most often in people with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune condition that reduces saliva and tears. By boosting saliva, it can make the mouth more comfortable, help with speaking, chewing and swallowing, and protect the teeth. It is taken by mouth as a capsule and is usually prescribed when simpler measures, such as saliva substitutes and frequent sips of water, are not enough.
How it works
Saliva is made by glands in the mouth that respond to natural chemical signals from the nervous system. Cevimeline mimics one of these signals, switching on the salivary glands so they produce more saliva. Because it acts on the same kind of receptors found in other glands and tissues, it can also increase sweating and stimulate the gut, which is why these are common side effects. The effect builds the mouth's own moisture rather than just coating it, which is why it can help where saliva substitutes alone are not enough.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A medicine used to relieve a very dry mouth, particularly in people with Sjogren's syndrome.
Practical use
How to take Cevimeline
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as prescribed, swallowing the capsule with water.
- Use it alongside good mouth care, frequent sips of water and any saliva substitutes you have been given.
- Expect to sweat more and possibly have looser stools, as these come from how the medicine works; tell your prescriber if they are troublesome.
- Take care with driving or tasks needing clear vision until you know whether it blurs your sight, especially at night.
- Tell your prescriber if you have asthma, heart problems or narrow-angle glaucoma, as these affect whether it is suitable.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Cevimeline
Advantages
- Stimulates the mouth's own glands to make more saliva, relieving a dry mouth more than coatings alone.
- Can make speaking, chewing and swallowing more comfortable and help protect the teeth.
- Taken by mouth as a capsule.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes sweating, feeling sick and other tummy effects because it acts on glands and the gut.
- Can blur vision and is used with caution in narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Used with caution in people with asthma, breathing problems or certain heart conditions.
Practical use
Good to know
The main thing to expect is that cevimeline increases the body's natural secretions, so as well as more saliva it commonly causes sweating, feeling sick and other tummy effects such as diarrhoea; these are part of how it works. It is taken by mouth and works best alongside good mouth care, sips of water and saliva substitutes. There are important cautions: because it can tighten the airways, it is used carefully in people with asthma or other breathing conditions; because it affects the heart's rate and rhythm, it is used carefully in people with certain heart problems; and because it can affect the eye, it is used carefully in people with narrow-angle glaucoma. It can also cause blurred vision, particularly at night, so take care with tasks such as driving until you know how it affects you. Tell your prescriber about your other conditions and medicines before starting.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to cevimeline should not take it.
- It should not be used by people with uncontrolled asthma or certain other breathing conditions, as it can tighten the airways.
- It should not be used by people with narrow-angle glaucoma or certain inflammatory eye conditions.
- It is used with caution in people with heart-rhythm or heart problems and is guided by a prescriber.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well the dry mouth improves and whether side effects are tolerable.
- Watching for breathing or heart symptoms in people with asthma or heart conditions.
- Checking that the eyes are not affected in people with glaucoma.
Side effects
- Sweating more than usual, which is the most common effect.
- Feeling sick, diarrhoea or other tummy upset.
- Headache, a runny nose or blurred vision, especially at night.
- Less commonly, a slow or irregular heartbeat or breathing symptoms, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- It can add to the effects of other medicines that act in a similar cholinergic way.
- Some medicines, such as certain ones for an overactive bladder or some antidepressants, can work against it or change its effects.
- Medicines that affect the heart rate may need review, so tell your prescriber everything you take.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Cevimeline: frequently asked questions
What is cevimeline used for?
It is used to relieve a very dry mouth, particularly in people with Sjogren's syndrome, by stimulating the salivary glands to make more saliva.
Why does it make me sweat?
Cevimeline stimulates the body's glands, so as well as more saliva it commonly increases sweating; this is part of how the medicine works.
Can I use it if I have asthma?
It is used with caution, or avoided, in asthma and other breathing conditions because it can tighten the airways, so tell your prescriber before starting.
Will it affect my eyesight?
It can blur vision, especially at night, so take care with driving or tasks needing clear sight until you know how it affects you.
Does it cure the dry mouth?
No. It helps relieve the dryness while you take it by boosting saliva, and works best alongside good mouth care and sips of water.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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