USE OF GLYCOPYRROLATE AND OTHER ANTICHOLINERGIC MEDICATIONS FOR SIALORRHEA IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL-PALSY

Fifty-four parents/caretakers of children with cerebral palsy were sur veyed regarding their use of antisialorrheic medication for excessive drooling. Glycopyrrolate was used by 37 of 41 respondents, with signif icant improvement in drooling noted in the vast majority (95%) of case s as indicated by a five-point rating scale. Side effects (dry mouth, thick secretions, urinary retention, or flushing) surfaced in almost h alf (44%) of the patients but necessitated discontinuation of pharmaco logic treatment in less than a third. While larger clinical studies ar e needed, our preliminary data indicate a trial of glycopyrrolate shou ld be considered in children with cerebral palsy where drooling is a s ignificant problem.