Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Q: Which drugs are more prone to cause gingival overgrowth? (select one)

A) Beta-blockers (BB)

B) Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)

Answer: B

 Gingival overgrowth is popularly known as "gingival hyperplasia." Although phenytoin is well known to cause gingival overgrowth, CCB, i.e., nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and amlodipine, can also cause gingival overgrowth. In transplant patients, cyclosporine is known to do this. 

These drugs may cause the gingival tissues to grow disproportionally by several millimeters and cover almost one-third or even more of teeth crowns. This leads to gingival inflammation and bleeding. 

Most of the time, it is reversible when the drug is discontinued. Another option is to perform gingivectomy.

#pharmacology

References:

1. Straka M, Varga I, Erdelský I, Straka-Trapezanlidis M, Krňoulová J. Drug-induced gingival enlargement. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2014;35(7):567-76. PMID: 25617879.

2. Tungare S, Paranjpe AG. Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth. [Updated 2022 Sep 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538518/