OBJECTIVE:

To study the efficacy of coumarin/troxerutine for the protection of salivary glands and mucosa during irradiation.

DESIGN:

Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

SETTING:

University hospital, Germany.

PATIENTS:

48 patients who had radiotherapy to the head and neck.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Salivary gland scintigraphy and acute side-effects of radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) score).

RESULTS:

23 patients (11 experimental, 12 placebo) completed the study. The global efficacy measure combining scintigraphy and RTOG score favoured the experimental arm (P=0.07). The RTOG score showed significantly fewer acute side-effects of radiation in the experimental arm (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The results suggest that coumarin/troxerutine have a favourable effect in the treatment of radiogenic sialadenitis and mucositis.