What’s so magical about magic mouthwash?
Painful mouth sores (oral mucositis) or ulcers that interfere with eating, speaking, and even swallowing are a common side effect of chemotherapy and head and neck radiation treatment. For some, relief can be found through Magic Mouthwash, the name given to a mouthwash available by prescription.
Magic Mouthwash, also referred to as Miracle Mouthwash, is not prepared like traditional mouthwashes. Although available through a prescription, there is not one uniform rinse available at every pharmacy. Instead, there are a variety of formulas and means of preparation currently available ranging from your pharmacist working with a pre-measured kit that can be mixed to your pharmacist ordering the ingredients and preparing it behind the counter.
While there are some differences in preparations, Magic Mouthwash generally possess a few common ingredients, which the Mayo Clinic lists as:
•An antibiotic to kill bacteria around the sore
•An antihistamine or local anesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort
•An antifungal to reduce fungal growth
•A corticosteroid to treat inflammation
•An antacid that helps ensure the other ingredients adequately coat the inside of your mouth
Given the range of ingredients, make sure your medical team is aware of the ingredients before you start just as you would before taking any new medication. It is important to note that currently, there is no data on the effectiveness of Magic Mouthwash.
If you think you are a candidate for Magic Mouthwash, speak to your oncologist or dental oncologist to learn more.
Originally published at laurenlevidmd.com
