Objectives: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a condition that results from the reduction or absence of saliva flow secondary to the use of certain medications. The objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between xerostomia patients and the consumption of serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Method and materials: The University of Florida (UF) Integrated Data (IDR) i2b2, for the period of June 2015 to September 2022, was used based on aggregates of the International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnoses of dry mouth and use of SNRI. MedCalc Software was used to calculate odds ratios.
Results: The odds ratio for dry mouth in the SNRI group was 5.95 (95% CI 5.47 to 6.48, P < .0001). The odds ratio for dry mouth in females on SNRI was 5.48 (95% CI 4.97 to 6.02, P < .0001), for males 5.48 (95% CI 4.56 to 6.95), P < .0001), for children 2.87 (95% CI 1.19 to 6.96, P = .0192), and for adults 4.46 (95% CI 4.09 to 4.86, P < .0001). When the different SNRIs were analyzed separately, the odds ratio for dry mouth with the use of venlafaxine was 5.83 (95% CI 5.12 to 6.6, P < .0001), duloxetine 6.97 (95% CI 6.33 to 7.67, P <.0001), desvenlafaxine 5.24 (95% CI 3.65 to 7.52, P < .0001), and milnacipran 9.61 (95% CI 5.66 to 16.31, P < .0001).
Conclusion: According to the present study, patients who are taking SNRIs are five-fold more likely to develop dry mouth compared to those not on medications. The results could be informative to medical professionals who prescribe SNRIs and who are not currently aware of the effect they have on salivary production and therefore quality of life, as well as the dental practitioners treating these patients with dry mouth sequalae. (Quintessence Int 2023;54:150–154; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b3704403)