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Drug Stops Drooling
 Sialorrhea, or excessive drooling, is a problem for developmentally-disabled children and adults, especially those with cerebral palsy. A new study reveals the drug, glycopyrrolate, is effective in controlling the excessive saliva in these children.
Researchers at Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington, Kentucky, studied 39 children with developmental disabilities and excessive drooling. Patients were given glycopyrrolate over a four-month period. Researchers found the drug controls excessive saliva. However, 20 pe rcent of the children experienced severe side effects and had to stop taking the medication. Side effects included hyperactivity, irritability, constipation, diarrhea, urinary retention, headache and others.
In all, 27 of the children on the drug demonstrated improvement in drooling. Researchers say it is clear that this drug is effective. However, they add that increasing the dosage slowly is imperative to see the reaction of the drug on the child.
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