Patients & Caregivers

Care OM™

Caphosol^®

Healthcare Professionals

Patient Frequently Asked Questions

CARE OM™

Q: What is CARE OM?

A: CARE OM (Caphosol Relieves Oral Mucositis) is a web-based education and support center for patients and caregivers seeking to learn more about oral mucositis and CAPHOSOL^®. The CARE OM program is designed to help raise awareness of oral mucositis — a frequent and very significant complication of cancer treatment.

Oral Mucositis

Q: What is oral mucositis?

A: Oral mucositis, an inflammation of mucous membranes in the mouth, and is a common complication of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy.⁸ Oral mucositis is estimated to affect more than 400,000 cancer patients each year.¹

Q: What are the oral mucositis symptoms?

A: OM is oral mucosal change resulting from cancer therapy. It manifests first by thinning of oral tissues leading to redness or inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes. As these tissues continue to thin, ulceration eventually occurs.⁵

Q: How do cancer patients get oral mucositis?

A: Oral mucositis is a common complication of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy.⁷ In general, it is thought to affect 5% to 15% of cancer patients², though it occurs in approximately 40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy³, in as many as 75% to 85% of bone marrow transplant recipients², and in nearly all patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.⁴

Q: What are risk factors for oral mucositis?

A: Cancer treatments are a primary cause of oral mucositis, especially radiation therapy and chemotherapy. There is an increasing trend of combining chemotherapy with radiation to treat head and neck cancer in hopes that the combined therapy will result in better cancer response rates. However, as a result, severe OM rates in these patients can go as high as 98%.⁵ According to a literature review of more than 6,000 patients, the incidence of OM was greater in the patients who received radiation or a combination of radiation with chemotherapy.⁴

Q: What treatment options are available for OM patients?

A: OM is a major unmet medical need and the number of available therapies is limited. CAPHOSOL, an advanced electrolyte solution, is designed in part to replace the normal ionic pH balance in the oral cavity.⁶ It's best to consult with your doctor to determine which treatment option is right for you.

Q: Why should I treat my oral mucositis?

A: Severe OM can complicate the management of cancer. It often leads to interruption of cancer treatment, which can compromise cure rates.⁵ OM imposes a significant economic burden, because of frequent hospitalizations caused by losing the ability to take anything by mouth due to severe mouth pain. Additionally, pain management usually requires the use of prescription pain medication, also substantially increasing treatment costs.^{4, 5}

CAPHOSOL

Q: How does Caphosol work?

A: Caphosol is a supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse with a high concentration of electrolytes. It lubricates the tissues, makes them slide easily on contact, minimizing friction, ulceration and corresponding pain and discomfort associated with these conditions.

Q: Does Caphosol have side effects?

A: Reported side effects have been rare and generally mild. Caphosol contains 71mg of sodium per 30ml dose. Caphosol is comparable to natural saline solution with the addition of the supersaturated calcium and phosphate minerals — natural constituents of saliva.

Q: How often should I use Caphosol?

A: Your physician will prescribe the number of times you should rinse per day. During cancer treatment you should use Caphosol 4-10 times per day or more if experiencing pain from mucositis. If you are using Caphosol for the treatment of permanent or temporary dry mouth conditions, you may use Caphosol from 2 times per day or more. You should rinse in the evening after brushing your teeth and in the morning after brushing you teeth.

Q: How do I obtain reimbursement?

A: Submit as you would for any prescription. Most major providers reimburse for Caphosol. If you have any problems, contact EUSAPharma@accessmed.com or (888) 837-4397.

Q: Will I get more saliva from using Caphosol?

A: No, Caphosol does not stimulate the production of saliva.

Q: Can I get Caphosol at my local pharmacy?

A: Most pharmacies will order Caphosol for you. Caphosol is a prescription only medical device. Bring your doctor or dentist's prescription to your local pharmacy. If your pharmacy does not carry Caphosol in stock, they may order it for you.

To find a DME (Durable Medical Equipment) participating pharmacy that carries Caphosol, click here.

All pharmacies listed may not make Caphosol available, or will have to order it with a wait of 24-48 hours.

Participating pharmacy search instructions

Step 1: Select if you would like to search for Suppliers by state, city, county, zip code or name
Step 2: Specify search criteria
Step 3: Specify what supply products you are looking for

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

I am receiving cancer treatment and I am experiencing oral discomfort

The most important step to take in your search for effective relief is by consulting your healthcare professional. Although there are a variety of treatment options available, only your doctor can determine which is best for you.

Be prepared to share information with your doctor. The pain from oral mucositis is a side effect of the cancer treatment that you should discuss with your doctor. Your doctor will appreciate and suggest treatments. Ask your doctor about adding Caphosol as part of your treatment program.

Some questions you could focus on in describing your situation:

Do you have oral pain? If yes, when and how often does this occur? Where in your mouth (lips, back of the mouth, tongue etc.) is the discomfort the greatest?
Do you have difficulties eating due to your mouth sores or dry mouth?
Do you experience alteration in your taste sensation?
Do you have difficulties speaking?
Do you believe your oral discomfort is causing other health related problems (fatigue, sleeping disorder, lack of nutrition).
If you have received medication for your oral discomfort, is this medication as effective as you would like?

I have chronic dry mouth and I want to ask my doctor or nurse if Caphosol may be right for me:

The most important step to take in your search for effective relief is by consulting your healthcare professional. Although there are an increasing variety of treatment options available, only your doctor can determine which is best for you. Be prepared to share information with your doctor.

Dry mouth is a medically recognized condition also known as xerostomia. Dry mouth may be caused by a variety of conditions, such as Sjogren's Syndrome, common side effects from various medication, surgery or radiation therapy to the salivary glands, chemotherapy, etc.

Some questions you could focus on in describing your situation:

Do you have difficulties eating due to your mouth sores or dry mouth?
Do you sometimes have difficulties speaking due to your dry mouth?
Do you wake up at night due to your dry mouth?
Have you had problems with tooth decay after suffering from chronic dry mouth?
If you have received medication for your dry mouth, is this medication as effective as you would like?

If your doctor has not heard about Caphosol, you may reference www.caphosol.com or print out the prescribing information and bring it to your doctor's visit.

For references, please click here.

Important Safety Information: Avoid eating or drinking at least 15 minutes after use. Patients restricted to a low sodium diet should consult their physician before use. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician or dentist.

Keep out of reach of children. For full prescribing information, please click here.

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