MY GOAL:
To better understand my condition.

All photos on this site are actor portrayals.

ABOUT CHRONIC SIALORRHEA

Sialorrhea, or drooling, is an excess spillage of saliva from the mouth.1

  • Anterior sialorrhea is when saliva spills from the mouth2
  • Posterior sialorrhea is when saliva spills through the oropharynx2
  • Common and often problematic symptom of many neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy, stroke, and other conditions2

SIALORRHEA IN PD

Graph representing 75% of patients with PD affected by sialorrhea and 45% of patients with PD complaining of drooling
  • Primarily caused by difficulty and decreased frequency of swallowing3
  • Unintentional mouth opening and poor head posture may further exacerbate the drooling4,5
  • Patients with PD rated sialorrhea as one of the most bothersome nonmotor symptoms6

Patients with PD rated sialorrhea as one of the highest nonmotor symptoms negatively affecting their daily lives3,6

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SIALORRHEA

Physical concerns1,3,4,7

  • Perioral chapping
  • Excoriation of the skin around the mouth
  • Problems with oral hygiene
  • Speech disturbance
  • Sleep disruption

If left untreated, sialorrhea can cause serious additional health problems.

Possible serious concerns: posterior pooling may lead to choking, aspiration, and pneumonia.*,7,8

*There are no studies showing that treating sialorrhea affects specific outcomes on this page.

Patient concerns1,3

Illustration of a man with an embarrassed look on his face

EMBARRASSMENT

Illustration of a man with a frown with a group of people behind him in the distance

SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL
AND STIGMA

Illustration of a man talking with a speech bubble next to him that has a curly line in it

DIFFICULTY SPEAKING

Illustration of a man with a discouraged look on his face next to an apple inside a circle with a line through it

DIFFICULTY EATING

Illustration of a man and a woman

CAREGIVER BURDEN

HEAR FROM REAL PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT LIFE WITH SIALORRHEA AND THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH MYOBLOC

Actual patient and caregiver testimonials

1 Week

MYOBLOC is the only approved botulinum toxin for chronic sialorrhea that can provide significant results in as early as 1 week9,10

MYOBLOC for Sialorrhea

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS

MYOBLOC® injection is indicated for:

  • the treatment of cervical dystonia (CD) to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with CD in adults
  • the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in adults

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECT

See full prescribing information for complete boxed WARNING.

The effects of MYOBLOC® and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have an underlying condition that would predispose them to these symptoms.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

MYOBLOC is contraindicated in patients with:

  • A known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or to any of the components in the formulation
  • Infection at the proposed injection site(s)

WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Lack of Interchangeability Between Botulinum Toxin Products
    The potency units of MYOBLOC are specific to the preparation and biological activity assay method utilized. Due to differences in the aspects of this assay such as the vehicle, dilution scheme, and laboratory protocols for various potency assays, potency units are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products and, therefore, units of biological activity of MYOBLOC cannot be compared to or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin products assessed with any other specific assay method.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions
    Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with botulinum toxin products. Angioedema, urticaria, and rash have occurred with MYOBLOC treatment. Hypersensitivity reactions can also include anaphylaxis, serum sickness, soft tissue edema, and dyspnea. If serious and/or immediate hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue further injection of MYOBLOC and institute appropriate medical therapy immediately. The use of MYOBLOC in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum neurotoxin or to any of the excipients (human albumin, sucrose), could lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction.
  • Dysphagia and Breathing Difficulties
    Treatment with MYOBLOC and other botulinum toxin products can result in swallowing or breathing difficulties. Patients with pre-existing swallowing or breathing difficulties may be more susceptible to these complications. In most cases, this is a consequence of weakening of muscles in the area of injection that are involved in breathing or swallowing. When distant effects occur, additional respiratory muscles may be involved. Deaths as a complication of severe dysphagia have been reported after treatment with botulinum toxin. Dysphagia may persist for several months and require use of a feeding tube to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Aspiration may result from severe dysphagia and is a particular risk when treating patients in whom swallowing or respiratory function is already compromised.
    • Cervical Dystonia: Treatment of cervical dystonia with botulinum toxins may weaken neck muscles that serve as accessory muscles of ventilation. This may result in a critical loss of breathing capacity in patients with respiratory disorders who may have become dependent upon these accessory muscles. There have been postmarketing reports of serious breathing difficulties, including respiratory failure, in cervical dystonia patients. Patients treated with botulinum toxin may require immediate medical attention should they develop problems with swallowing, speech or respiratory disorders. These reactions can occur within hours to weeks after injection with botulinum toxin.
    • Pre-Existing Neuromuscular Disorders: Individuals with peripheral motor neuropathic diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or neuromuscular junctional disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome) should be monitored particularly closely when given botulinum toxin. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of MYOBLOC.
  • Human Albumin and Transmission of Viral Diseases
    This product contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). There is a theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), but if that risk actually exists, the risk of transmission would be considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases, CJD, or vCJD have ever been identified for licensed albumin or albumin contained in other licensed products.

MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS (>5% of patients and >5% more than placebo)

Cervical Dystonia: dry mouth, dysphagia, injection site pain, headache

Chronic Sialorrhea: dry mouth, dysphagia

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Aminoglycosides and Other Agents Interfering with Neuromuscular Transmission: Co-administration of MYOBLOC and aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like compounds) should only be performed with caution as the effect of the toxin may be potentiated. Anticholinergic Drugs: Use of anticholinergic drugs after administration of MYOBLOC may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects. Other Botulinum Neurotoxin Products: The effect of administering different botulinum toxin products at the same time or within several months of each other is unknown. Excessive neuromuscular weakness may be exacerbated by administration of another botulinum toxin prior to the resolution of the effects of a previously administered botulinum toxin. Muscle Relaxants: Excessive weakness may also be exaggerated by administration of a muscle relaxant before or after administration of MYOBLOC.

Please see the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide.

References:

1. Hockstein NG, Samadi DS, Gendron K, Handler SD. Sialorrhea: a management challenge. Am Fam Physician. 2004;69(11):2628-2634. 2. Güvenç I. Sialorrhea: A Guide to Etiology, Assessment, and Management. In: Salivary Glands - New Approaches in Diagnostics and Treatment. 2018;1: 37-47. doi:10.5772/intechopen.82619 3. Leibner J, Ramjit A, Sedig L, Dai Y, Wu SS, Jacobsen C, et al. The impact of and the factors associated with drooling in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2010;16(7):475-477. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2009.12.003 4. Postma AG, Heesters M, van Laar T. Radiotherapy to the salivary glands as treatment of sialorrhea in patients with parkinsonism. Mov Disord. 2007;22(16):2430-2435. doi:10.1002/ mds.21752 5. Srivanitchapoom P, Pandey S, Hallet M. Drooling in Parkinson’s disease: a review. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2014;20:1109-1118. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.08.013 6. Martinez-Martin P, Rodriguez-Blazquez C, Kurtis MM, Chaudhuri KR; NMSS Validation Group. The impact of non-motor symptoms on health-related quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. 2011;26(3):399-406. doi:10.1002/mds.23462 7. Scully C, Limeres J, Gleeson M, Tomás I, Diz P. Drooling. J Oral Pathol Med. 2009;38:321-327. doi:10.1111/ j.1600-0714.2008.00727.x 8. Mehanna R, Jankovic J. Respiratory problems in neurologic movement disorders. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2010;16(10):628-38. 9. MYOBLOC® US Prescribing Information. Solstice Neurosciences, LLC. 10. Chinnapongse R, Gullo K, Nemeth P, Zhang Y, Griggs L. Safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type B for treatment of sialorrhea in Parkinson’s disease: a prospective double-blind trial. Mov Disord. 2012;27(2):219-226. doi:10.1002/mds.23929

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS

MYOBLOC® injection is indicated for:

  • the treatment of cervical dystonia (CD) to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with CD in adults
  • the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in adults

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECT

See full prescribing information for complete boxed WARNING.

The effects of MYOBLOC® and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have an underlying condition that would predispose them to these symptoms.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

MYOBLOC is contraindicated in patients with:

  • A known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or to any of the components in the formulation
  • Infection at the proposed injection site(s)

WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Lack of Interchangeability Between Botulinum Toxin Products
    The potency units of MYOBLOC are specific to the preparation and biological activity assay method utilized. Due to differences in the aspects of this assay such as the vehicle, dilution scheme, and laboratory protocols for various potency assays, potency units are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products and, therefore, units of biological activity of MYOBLOC cannot be compared to or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin products assessed with any other specific assay method.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions
    Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with botulinum toxin products. Angioedema, urticaria, and rash have occurred with MYOBLOC treatment. Hypersensitivity reactions can also include anaphylaxis, serum sickness, soft tissue edema, and dyspnea. If serious and/or immediate hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue further injection of MYOBLOC and institute appropriate medical therapy immediately. The use of MYOBLOC in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum neurotoxin or to any of the excipients (human albumin, sucrose), could lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction.
  • Dysphagia and Breathing Difficulties
    Treatment with MYOBLOC and other botulinum toxin products can result in swallowing or breathing difficulties. Patients with pre-existing swallowing or breathing difficulties may be more susceptible to these complications. In most cases, this is a consequence of weakening of muscles in the area of injection that are involved in breathing or swallowing. When distant effects occur, additional respiratory muscles may be involved. Deaths as a complication of severe dysphagia have been reported after treatment with botulinum toxin. Dysphagia may persist for several months and require use of a feeding tube to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Aspiration may result from severe dysphagia and is a particular risk when treating patients in whom swallowing or respiratory function is already compromised.
    • Cervical Dystonia: Treatment of cervical dystonia with botulinum toxins may weaken neck muscles that serve as accessory muscles of ventilation. This may result in a critical loss of breathing capacity in patients with respiratory disorders who may have become dependent upon these accessory muscles. There have been postmarketing reports of serious breathing difficulties, including respiratory failure, in cervical dystonia patients. Patients treated with botulinum toxin may require immediate medical attention should they develop problems with swallowing, speech or respiratory disorders. These reactions can occur within hours to weeks after injection with botulinum toxin.
    • Pre-Existing Neuromuscular Disorders: Individuals with peripheral motor neuropathic diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or neuromuscular junctional disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome) should be monitored particularly closely when given botulinum toxin. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of MYOBLOC.
  • Human Albumin and Transmission of Viral Diseases
    This product contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). There is a theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), but if that risk actually exists, the risk of transmission would be considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases, CJD, or vCJD have ever been identified for licensed albumin or albumin contained in other licensed products.

MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS (>5% of patients and >5% more than placebo)

Cervical Dystonia: dry mouth, dysphagia, injection site pain, headache

Chronic Sialorrhea: dry mouth, dysphagia

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Aminoglycosides and Other Agents Interfering with Neuromuscular Transmission: Co-administration of MYOBLOC and aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like compounds) should only be performed with caution as the effect of the toxin may be potentiated. Anticholinergic Drugs: Use of anticholinergic drugs after administration of MYOBLOC may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects. Other Botulinum Neurotoxin Products: The effect of administering different botulinum toxin products at the same time or within several months of each other is unknown. Excessive neuromuscular weakness may be exacerbated by administration of another botulinum toxin prior to the resolution of the effects of a previously administered botulinum toxin. Muscle Relaxants: Excessive weakness may also be exaggerated by administration of a muscle relaxant before or after administration of MYOBLOC.

Please see the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide.