Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are believed to cause dry mouth symptoms. This medication-induced dry mouth is a side effect that most patients simply learn to accept. No matter how bothersome it may be, dry mouth is not life-threatening. Therefore, the benefit of the medication generally takes precedence over the discomfort caused by the dry mouth.

The following are some of the drug classes typically associated with dry mouth symptoms.

• Appetite suppressants, including phentermine, phendimetrazine, benzphetamine, sibutramine, and diethylpropion. Brand names associated with these drugs include Anorex SR, Adipost, Didrex, and Zantryl.
• Antacids and ulcer treatments, including Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), and Protonix (pantoprazole). 
  
• Anxiety treatments, such as lorazepam, diazepam, and alprazolam, also known as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax, respectively.
• Antispasmodics and anticholinergics, which are commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, cramping, and other intestinal disorders. Medications in this class include Anaspaz (hyoscyamine), Bentyl (dicyclomine), and Donnatal (hyoscyamine with atropine, phenobarbital, scopolamine). The motion sickness medication Transderm-Scop (scopolamine) is also in this group.
  
• Anticonvulsants, for the treatment of epilepsy as well as bipolar disorder. Neurontin (gabapentin) and Tegretol (carbamazepine) are both anticonvulsants.
• Antidepressants, such as Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft. The molecule names for these brands are citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, bupropion, and sertraline, respectively.
• Antihistamines, both prescription and over-the-counter formulations. Medications in this group include Actifed (triprolidine with pseudoephedrine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), Claritin (loratadine), Vistaril (hydroxyzine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine).
• Blood pressure medications. Many antihypertensives are associated with dry mouth, including Accupril, Flomax, and Norvasc—or quinapril, tamsulosin, and amlodipine, respectively.
• Bronchodilators, for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Medications in this category include Alupent (metaproterenol), Combivent (ipratropium/albuterol), Spiriva (tiotropium), and Ventolin (albuterol).
• Diarrhea treatments, including Imodium AD (loperamide) and Lomotil (diphenoxylate with atropine).
• Diuretics, such as Diurese (trichlormethiazide), Lasix (furosemide), and Zaroxolyn (metolazone).
• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Motrin (ibuprofen) and Naprosyn (naproxen) have both been known to induce dry mouth.
• Parkinson’s treatments, such as biperiden, pergolide, amantadine, and ropinirole. The brand names associated with these medications are Akineton, Permax, Symmetrel, and Requip.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you begin to experience dry mouth conditions and you believe your medication is the cause, speak to your doctor directly about the problem. Do not make any changes to your medication routine without your doctor’s permission—no matter how aggravating your dry mouth condition may be. There are coping strategies and over-the-counter products that can help alleviate your dry mouth symptoms.