Patients and doctors alike are often concerned that medications used long-term might lose their effectiveness. Here's one case, however, when that type of use seems to be safe.

In an abstract he presented at the Annual Convention of the American College of Rheumatology in Boston, Dr. Francis LeVeque of Harper-Grace Hospital in Detroit concluded that prolonged use of pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen Tablets) for Sjogren's syndrome doesn't lead to a loss of pharmacologic effect and is safe for the patient.

At the same meeting, Dr. Frederick Vivino of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia presented data concluding that symptoms suggestive of Sjogren's syndrome are common in "normal" women but are seldom reported to their doctors. He recommends that both you and your patients be more aware of this condition so that it can be diagnosed and treated earlier.