Symptom Checker
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Swallowing Difficulty
A dry mouth can interfere with comfortable swallowing.
For many people, a dry mouth can be a side effect of medicines. For a few people, a medical condition (such as Sjogren's disease) is the cause of a dry mouth. Review this list of medicines that can cause a dry mouth. Then discuss your swallowing difficulty and your dry mouth with your physician. Do not stop taking a medication that has been prescribed by your doctor without first checking with your doctor.
Medicines that can cause a dry mouth:
Antidepressants that are prescribed to treat electric or burning pain
In particular, tricyclic agents. These include amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.
Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), loratidine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and others.
Prednisone or Prednisolone
Certain inhalers for COPD or asthma
Ipratropium (Atrovent, Combivent) and tiotropium (Spiriva).
Anti-diarrhea medicines
Examples are loperamide (Imodium) and diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil).
Medicines for an overactive bladder
Oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), and others.
We should consider other possible problems that might be causing your swallowing difficulty.
Disclaimer: This content should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a health professional. Use of this content is subject to specific terms of use & medical disclaimers.
