Saliva Reduction: Causes, Medications, and What You Can Do

When your mouth feels dry all the time, it’s not just annoying—it’s a signal. This is saliva reduction, a condition where your salivary glands don’t produce enough fluid to keep your mouth moist. Also known as xerostomia, it’s not a disease on its own, but a side effect of something else—often medications, aging, or chronic health issues. You might notice it when swallowing food, speaking, or even waking up with a sticky tongue. If left unaddressed, it can lead to tooth decay, mouth sores, and trouble tasting food. It’s more common than you think, especially if you’re on long-term meds.

Many drugs directly cause saliva reduction, a well-documented side effect tied to how they block nerve signals to salivary glands. Think about anticholinergic drugs, a class of medications used for everything from overactive bladder to depression and Parkinson’s. These include common prescriptions like amitriptyline, oxybutynin, and even some antihistamines. You’ll also see it with blood pressure meds like hydrochlorothiazide, antidepressants like SSRIs, and pain relievers like opioids. Even amiodarone, a heart rhythm drug known for complex side effects, can contribute to dry mouth. It’s not always obvious—many people don’t connect their dry mouth to the pills they take daily.

It’s not just about drinking more water. While hydration helps, it won’t fix the root cause if your glands are being shut down by medication. People who’ve dealt with this for years often turn to sugar-free gum, saliva substitutes, or humidifiers at night. Some find relief by switching meds under their doctor’s care—especially if they’re on multiple drugs that compound the issue. The connection between indapamide, a diuretic used for high blood pressure, and dry mouth isn’t talked about enough, but it’s real. Same with bisacodyl, a laxative that can disrupt fluid balance. And if you’re on ipratropium bromide, an inhaler for smokers with chronic cough, you’re already familiar with how it dries out your mouth—on purpose.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of drugs that cause dry mouth. It’s a practical map of real cases, side effect patterns, and solutions people have actually used. You’ll see how one person’s dry mouth was traced back to a combination of heart meds, how others reversed it by adjusting their regimen, and why some treatments that help with cough or constipation accidentally make saliva reduction worse. This isn’t theory—it’s what’s happening in clinics and kitchens and pharmacies every day. Let’s get you the answers that actually work.