[Dysphagia] Biotene leading to oral yeast?

[Tara.Moore at chw.edu (Moore, Tara - SJHMC)]

I contacted the pharmacy at our hospital and contacted Laclede (the company
who manufactures Biotene). The pharmacist did not have a clear answer
regading "starch hydosolate," however, a chemist from Biotene (Raj) reported
that no ingredient in the product may yield an oral yeast infection. After
further discussion, the chemist reported the yeast may be caused by my
patient mixing the Oral Balance gel with water and letting it sit in the
spray bottle at room temperature. She reports the spray bottle he is using
is a breeding ground for bacteria...and possibly yeast.  

In any case, no clear answer...but, my patient has since stopped using the
product.

Thank you  for the feedback :).

Tara C. Moore, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist
St. Jospeh's Hospital and Medical Center
Outpatient Rehabilitation
602-406-6494
tara.moore@chw.edu

In response to: 
Can you ask a Pharmacist in your facility about this ingredient.

Given the factors of immuno-suppression and xerostomia making this man so
vulnerable to oral thrush, perhaps a Dietitian consultation about the sugar
levels in his foods and fluids intake  until the thrush is under control
maybe. Then re-evaluate , given his xerostomia, whether he should continue
low sugar foods. Also, the Dietitian could look at his level of fluid intake
- no point worsening radio-xerostomia with dehydration! Does he need to
rinse his mouth after eating with the Biotene mouthwash, or maybe Sodium
-bicarbonate, to start with a cleaner mouth and maybe use the ORal Balance
Gel in combination with the spray. I know the gel can be too gluggy for
really dry mouths but in combination with the spray he might be able to use
less spray and maximise the usefulness of the gel for comfort and prevention
of further thrush.