About 6 months ago I began to experience significant dry mouth. It is worst at night and causes me to wake. I am taking commercially available saliva stimulants recommended by my periodontis, but am concerned that this will lead to worsening oral health or worse. I have been taking the same drug combination of Videx, Viread, Kaletra & Epivir for at least a year. Can this be attributed to any of these medications..and if so, do you have any recommendations as to how else I might address? Thank you.

Some HIV+ patients develop dry mouth due to either HIV or sometimes medications. Often the mechanism involves the salivary glands. Xerostomia can be due to the sicca type syndrome (Sjogrens)or other conditions involving the parotid glands. Many medications (such as antihistamines and antidepressants) can cause dry mouth. I have observed it in patients without any definable underlying condition other than HIV or its treatment. I have not associated it particularly with the meds that you are taking but it possible one or more may be contributing. Sipping sugarless fluids and chewing xylitol containing gum provides symptoms relief as well as the saliva substitutes. I would make sure you are followed closely by a dentist and may want to be evaluated by an ENT doc with HIV interest. KH