Will I Develop a Dry Mouth With Fortical?
Fortical® (
calcitonin salmon nasal spray) has several possible side effects. One of these side effects is a dry mouth, although it is not a common problem. In clinical studies, less than 1 percent of people taking
calcitonin salmon (the active ingredient of Fortical) reported having a dry mouth.
Fortical and Dry Mouth: Recommendations
If you are taking Fortical and dry mouth occurs, there are a few things that you can do that may provide relief. Some of these suggestions include the following:
- Use a humidifier at night.
- Sip water or sugarless drinks often.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Sip water or sugarless drinks during meals. This will make chewing and swallowing easier; it may also improve the taste of food.
- Don't use tobacco or alcohol because they dry out the mouth.
- Be aware of spicy or salty foods because they may cause pain in a dry mouth.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; cinnamon- or mint-flavored candies are good choices.
Fortical and Dry Mouth: Final Thoughts
If you develop a dry mouth while taking Fortical and the suggestions in this article do not help, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may be able to recommend other treatments, such as artificial saliva. Also, depending on how severe your dry mouth is, he or she may recommend that you adjust your
Fortical dosage or try another
osteoporosis medicine.
