Patients with Sjogren’s syndrome can take cevimeline to address their dry mouth symptoms (a condition that affects the immune system and causes dryness of certain parts of the body such as the eyes and mouth). The drug cevimeline belongs to the group of drugs known as cholinergic agonists. It functions by producing more saliva in the mouth.

Cevimeline is available as a pill to swallow. Typically, it is taken three times daily. Cevimeline should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the prescription for cevimeline strictly. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug may be recommended for another purpose.

Before taking cevimeline,

• If you have any drug allergies, be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know, including cevimeline.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: amiodarone (Pacerone, Cordarone); itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral), two antifungal drugs; Beta-blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta, in Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol,, propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren); calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, among others) and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); bethanechol (Urecholine); bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban); erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, E-Mycin), fluvoxamine, haloperidol (Haldol), cimetidine (Tagamet), clarithromycin (Biaxin), clomipramine (Anafranil), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Aller-Chlor, Teldrin Allergy, among others); duloxetine (Cymbalta); drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness, Myastenia Gravis, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary difficulties; ipratropium (Atrovent); some HIV medications such indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir); quinidine, troleandomycin, paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva), methadone (Dolophine), and nefazodone. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, since many other drugs may also interact with cevimeline.
• Inform your doctor about any herbal medications you are taking, especially if you use St. John’s wort.
• Inform your doctor if you have glaucoma, acute iritis (an inflammation and irritant inside the eye), or asthma (an eye disease). Your doctor could advise against taking cevimeline.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have had had heart disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a set of lung disorders that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, kidney stones, gallstones, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• If you are expecting a child, intend to get pregnant, or are a nursing mother, let your doctor know. Call your physician if you conceive while taking cevimeline.
• You should let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking cevimeline if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that cevimeline can impair vision, particularly at night or in low light. Driving at night or engaging in risky activities in low light requires vigilance.
• You should be aware that taking cevimeline may make you sweat a lot, which might lead to dehydration. While taking this medication, make sure to drink lots of water and discuss measures to avoid dehydration with your doctor.

If you plan to consume grapefruits or grapefruit juice while taking this medication, consult your doctor.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Cevimeline could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Clogged nose

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Terrible headache
• Alterations to vision
• Tears in the eyes
• Excessive perspiration
• Having trouble breathing
• Cramps in the stomach
• Alterations in heartbeat
• Modifications to blood pressure
• Confusion
• Shaking hands in an uncontrollable manner

Further negative effects of cevimeline could occur. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.