Dry Mouth: Causes, Medications, and What to Do About It

When your mouth feels like cotton wool, you're not just thirsty—you're dealing with dry mouth, a condition where saliva production drops too low, making it hard to speak, swallow, or even taste food. Also known as xerostomia, it’s not a disease itself, but a warning sign that something in your body or meds is off. This isn’t just an annoyance. Without enough saliva, your teeth start to break down faster, your gums get irritated, and you’re more likely to get infections or bad breath.

Most of the time, dry mouth comes from medication side effects, especially drugs that block acetylcholine, a chemical your body uses to trigger saliva flow. Think blood pressure pills like indapamide, a diuretic that pulls fluid out of your system, or antidepressants like SSRIs that change brain chemistry. Even common allergy meds, painkillers, and muscle relaxants can do it. It’s not rare—over 400 medications list dry mouth as a side effect. And if you’re taking more than one, the effect multiplies. You might not realize your cough medicine or heart drug is drying you out until your lips crack or swallowing becomes a chore.

It’s not just drugs. dehydration, from not drinking enough water, sweating too much, or even breathing through your mouth at night, plays a big role. So does aging—your salivary glands just don’t work as hard after 60. And if you’ve got diabetes, autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s, or nerve damage from radiation therapy, dry mouth often shows up early. The good news? You don’t have to live with it. Simple fixes like sipping water throughout the day, chewing sugar-free gum, or using a humidifier at night can help. Some people need special mouth rinses or prescription saliva stimulants. But first, you need to figure out what’s causing it.

Look at your meds. Check your water intake. Notice if it’s worse in the morning or after meals. Keep a quick log for a few days. That’s the first step to taking back control. Below, you’ll find real cases from people who’ve been there—how amiodarone and warfarin teams up to mess with your body, how diuretics drain more than just fluid, and what actually works when your mouth feels like the Sahara. No fluff. Just what helps.