Basically, it's a rinse!

Implications: This article announces the launch of Aquoral, from Auriga Laboratories, a prescription product that helps to reduce xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Based on what I read in the article, it's a rinse that is lipid based (which means it's some kind of a fat containing rinse) that coats the teeth and tissues, making them feel slick and, since lipids don't evaporate like water, it would make the mouth feel moister, longer.

Analysis: It sounds like a neat product. I hope it tastes as good as it sounds, because the products out there currently that treat dry mouth are not very good, and I could use a good product to recommend. Current products treat xerostomia for a few minutes, but basically, they are as effective as just sipping water every few minutes. They don't last for long.

The article states that it is a prescription only product. My instinct tells me that this product will become non-prescription VERY quickly. It doesn't have any side effects, and it only needs to be avoided by people who are allergic to any of its' ingredients. Since it's a topical product (not systemic, which means it's a rinse, and NOT to be swallowed), it doesn't go through the digestive system or the blood. It is just rinsed on and then the excess is spit out. At least that's what it sounds like, based on the description.

This one is going to go the way that Gelclair did. Gelclair was a prescription only rinse that was given to people who had severe mouth pain. It started out being prescribed to cancer patients, but eventually it got prescribed for anyone who had a canker sore or cut in their mouth. My cancer patients claimed that it was like "putting a fire out in their mouth". It tasted terrible, but worked like a charm, had no side effects, and could be used by anyone not allergic to the ingredients. Darned if within a year or so, Rincinol came out on the market. Rincinol is the non-prescription version of Gelclair. Once Rincinol came out on the market, I never had to prescribe Gelclair again. I keep samples of Rincinol in my office, and recommend it to anyone who needs it.

I suspect it will be the same with this Aquoral. If it delivers as it promises, and because it is NOT water based and doesn't evaporate in the heat of the mouth, it will quickly become the leader in the xerostomia market.