Dry mouth (xerostomia) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol showed no clear difference in xerostomia (dry mouth, yes/no) compared with artificial saliva; GRADE not reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Salivary flow rate (unstimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol led to higher salivary flow rate (unstimulated, ml/min) compared with artificial saliva; GRADE not reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Overall survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol showed no clear difference in overall survival compared with artificial saliva; GRADE not reported.
1 finding from 1 review
Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Salivary flow rate (stimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol led to higher salivary flow rate (stimulated, ml/min) compared with artificial saliva; GRADE not reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Side effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
1 finding from 1 review
Xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-3 scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol led to lower xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-3 scale) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.
2 findings from 1 review
Salivary flow rate (stimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol showed no clear difference in salivary flow rate (stimulated, ml/min) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.
1 finding from 1 review
Salivary flow rate (unstimulated) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
Bethanechol led to higher salivary flow rate (unstimulated, ml/min) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.
1 finding from 1 review
Side effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
1 finding from 1 review
Low rates of adverse effects (watering eyes, nervousness, frequent urination, sweating, warm face, cramps, diarrhoea, nausea) with insufficient evidence of any differences (Jham 2007)
1 study
GRADE not reported
Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such symptoms
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
QoL · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such symptoms
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such symptoms
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Adverse effects (narrative) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such symptoms
1 finding from 1 review
Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome 2016 · Cochrane All outcomesshort-term (up to 3 months)
SoF4. Adverse effects: single study narratively reported 4 participants (20%) in the bethanechol arm experienced adverse events (nausea, dizziness, blood pressure fall, cold perspiration or sporadic abdominal pain);…
1 study · 40 participants
Very low
Relief of burning/discomfort (symptom relief; pain intensity) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such symptoms
It is very uncertain whether cholinergics (bethanechol 15 mg/day) changes relief of burning/discomfort (symptom relief; pain intensity) compared with placebo (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review