Cevimeline hydrochloride for Sjögren's syndrome

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Evoxac	cevimeline hydrochloride

Evoxac is given orally as a 30 mg capsule; dosages vary from 1 to 3 capsules per day.

How It Works

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Cevimeline stimulates the moisture-producing glands to increase saliva and tear production over a sustained period of time.

Why It Is Used

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Cevimeline is used to treat symptoms of dry mouth and eyes caused by Sjögren's syndrome.

You should not take cevimeline if you have:

• Uncontrolled asthma.
• Narrow-angle glaucoma or inflammation of the iris.

How Well It Works

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Studies show that cevimeline improves symptoms of dry mouth and eyes.^{1, 2}

Side Effects

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Side effects from cevimeline may include:

• Excessive sweating.
• Nausea.
• Runny nose.
• Diarrhea.
• More frequent urination.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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Talk to your health professional before taking cevimeline if you have:

• History of heart disease.
• Asthma.
• Chronic bronchitis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Kidney problems.

If you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, talk to your health professional before taking cevimeline.

Review all medications that you take, both prescription and nonprescription, with your health professional before taking cevimeline.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

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Citations

1. Fife RS, et al. (2002). Cevimeline for the treatment of xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Archives of Internal Medicine, 162: 1293–1300.

2. Petrone D, et al. (2002). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of cevimeline in Sjögren's syndrome patients with xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 46(3): 748–754.

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Updated	May 18, 2006