Medication Dry Mouth Checker
Paste your medications. We check them against the 400+ drugs known to cause dry mouth and give you a personalized severity score in seconds. No signup. No email required for the basic check.
What medications are you taking?
Type or paste each medication name (brand or generic, one per line). Don't worry about dosage.
How this works
The tool matches your medications against a curated database of 400+ drugs that the Surgeon General's office has identified as causing dry mouth (xerostomia). It accounts for drug-class compounding (e.g., taking three anticholinergic drugs is worse than one) and the additional risk factors you check (CPAP, age, autoimmune disease, etc.).
Severity score is 0-100. Anything over 30 means medication is likely a meaningful contributor; over 60 means it's probably the dominant cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this tool a substitute for talking to my doctor?
- No. It's a screening tool to help you have an informed conversation with your prescriber. Never stop or change medications based on a web tool — talk to your physician about timing changes, alternatives, or symptom-management strategies.
- How accurate is the database?
- The medication list is sourced from FDA labeling, the Surgeon General's xerostomia reference, and major pharmacology references. New drugs are added periodically. Combination products and brand-name variations are matched to their generic equivalents.
- What if my medication isn't in the list?
- Many newer drugs aren't yet in mainstream xerostomia references. Search the FDA label for your medication (Drugs.com is a good source) and look for "dry mouth" or "xerostomia" in the side-effects section. If listed, count it.
- Do over-the-counter drugs count?
- Yes — Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, sleep aids like Unisom, decongestants, and many cold medications all cause dry mouth. Include them.
- What should I do with my score?
- If mild (under 30), basic interventions (xylitol candy, hydration, humidifier) are usually enough. Moderate (30-60), add prescription saliva stimulants if interfering with daily life. Severe (60+), see your physician about medication adjustments AND see a dentist every 3-4 months for cavity prevention.
This tool provides educational information based on published medication databases. It is not medical advice. Do not stop, start, or change medications without consulting your physician. Persistent dry mouth can be a symptom of conditions that need medical attention beyond medication adjustment.