Lacrimal and salivary secretion in Sjögren's syndrome: the effect of systemic treatment with bromhexine.

In a randomized clinical study, 32 patients with Sjögrens syndrome (SS) were given placebo/bromhexine (Bisolvon) 48 mg daily for 3 weeks. Various ophthalmological and oral variables as well as different proteins in tear fluid and saliva were registered. Bromhexine stimulated the tear secretion significantly, presumably without changing the protein composition of the tear fluid. In saliva the IgM concentration in contrast to other proteins decreased in patients with high pre-treatment values. Bromhexine may be of valuable help in the treatment of some patients with SS.