Pharmacology · single question
Which medication is most likely contributing to this patient's dry mouth (xerostomia)?
Patient history: depression, bipolar disorder, hypertension.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Amitriptyline
Among the patient's meds, the anticholinergic burden of amitriptyline is the dominant driver of xerostomia.
- A. Correct. A tricyclic antidepressant with strong anticholinergic activity — blocking muscarinic receptors on salivary glands is the classic cause of drug-induced xerostomia.
- B. Thiazides can cause dry mouth via volume depletion, but the anticholinergic TCA is the far stronger and more typical offender here.