Hannah Hook and Frances Evelegh explore common medications, when patients might take them and warnings for dentists in this month’s dental student’s guide
As dental professionals a vital part of being a safe practitioner is having a good knowledge and understanding of the various medical conditions a patient may present with. Along with any medications they are taking and the impacts that this has on their dental treatment (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
It is fairly common for a patient to present with a complex medical history. Whilst a long list of medication may seem daunting, knowing some common types of medications and what we use them for is a great starting point.
This article will aim to help build your general understanding about various commonly encountered medications. Along with their uses and any specific relevance to dental treatment.
Below will cover 10 commonly encountered classes of drugs patients may take when attending the dentist (Atkin and Rogers, 2014; Audi et al, ), along with:
- Examples of common type(s) of the drug
- What the drug does
- How the drug works
- When the drug is prescribed
- Any warnings associated with that drug that may impact on dental treatment.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Types: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole.
What: decreases acid secretion in the stomach (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
How: irreversibly blocks the gastric proton pump of parietal cells, reducing the production of stomach acid.
When: for patients with acid reflux, indigestion, peptic ulcer.
Warnings: if a patient has marked palatal erosion, which does not match with diet or habits consider getting them checked for acid reflux with their doctor. Long-term acid reflux is linked to Barrett’s oesophagus, a pre-cancerous condition.
Statins
Types: Simvastatin, Atorvastatin.
What: reduces serum cholesterol (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
How: competitive inhibition of an enzyme, which eventually results in the production of cholesterol. This stops cholesterol forming and consequently decreases the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood.
When: statins are prescribed to people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Or if they are likely to develop cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years (based on their personal and family medical history).
Warnings: avoid using statins with azole antifungals. This leads to an increase in skeletal muscle pain, cramps and damage (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
Beta2 agonists
Types: Salbutamol.
What: relaxes smooth muscle.
How: they act directly on beta2 receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation resulting in bronchodilation and vasodilation. They have a rapid onset of action, within 15 minutes, and their effects last for up to four hours.
When: people suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Warnings: be aware that fluoride varnish contains the potential allergen, colophony. Therefore, avoid application in individuals hospitalised from an asthma attack.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Types: Citalopram, Fluoxetine.
What: increases serotonin levels.
How: they inhibit reuptake of serotonin, increasing serotonin availability in the brain. This is thought to have a positive influence on mood, emotion and sleep.
When: SSRIs are the first line of treatment for people suffering from depression. They can also be prescribed for people with obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.
Warnings: SSRIs can cause dry mouth; clinicians should also place a focus on comprehensive OHI and fluoride therapy in these patients (Daly, 2016).
Sodium channel blockers
Types: Phenytoin, Carbamazepine.
What: reduces the occurrence of seizures.
How: they inhibit the influx of sodium ions through cell membranes, slowing the rate of depolarisation and reducing cell excitability.
When: primarily to treat epilepsy but can we also use them to treat nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia.
Warnings: Phenytoin is known to cause gingival hyperplasia (Corrêa et al, 2011). You can manage this with impeccable oral hygiene practice.
Anti-diabetic drugs
Types: Metformin.
What: decreases blood sugar levels.
How: reduces production of glucose by the liver and lowers intestinal absorption of glucose. It also improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and use.
When: Metformin is the first line treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes
Warnings: the risk of developing periodontitis is two to three times higher in people with diabetes, therefore making sure patients understand the importance of good glycaemic control is key (Preshaw and Bissett, 2019).
Thyroid hormones
Types: Levothyroxine.
What: regulates metabolism.
How: Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. T4 is converted to T3 in the body. These hormones help to maintain brain function, temperature, metabolism and a multitude of other bodily functions.
When: patients with an underactive thyroid or after thyroid removal (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
Warnings: thyroid disease is often autoimmune. So be aware of other possible autoimmune diseases in these patients, such as Sjogren’s and rheumatoid arthritis (Atkin and Rogers, 2014).
Oral anticoagulants
Types: Warfarin.
What: prevents blood clot formation.
How: Warfarin targets an enzyme, vitamin K-epoxide reductase. As a result, this prevents the formation of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors; II, VII, IX and X. Resulting in a slowed production of prothrombin and therefore an increased clotting time (Harter, Levine and Henderson, 2015).
When: anticoagulant therapy is recommended when a patient is at an increased risk of TIAs, strokes, heart attacks, DVTs or pulmonary embolisms.
Warnings: if a patient taking Warfarin requires extractions their INR must be below four and should be checked no more than 72 hours prior to treatment. Keep treatments as atraumatic as possible. Use appropriate local measures, for example a haemostatic packing material and sutures.
Avoid prescription of medications such as Metronidazole and azole antifungals as they increase the INR and the risk of internal bleeding.
Advise patients to take paracetamol for pain relief unless contraindicated as NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk.
Oral antiplatelets
Types: Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor.
What: reduces the ability of blood clots to form.
How: antiplatelets act at various sites on platelets inhibiting platelet aggregation and therefore thrombus formation.
When: antiplatelets are usually given to patients who have previously had a myocardial infarction to help prevent another one occurring. They may also be prescribed in patients that have experienced a stroke or have a stent fitted or in patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease.
Warnings: patients on dual antiplatelet (most commonly Aspirin and Clopidogrel) therapies may have a higher risk of prolonged bleeding compared to those on a single antiplatelet drug and should be managed accordingly. Treat patients without interruption to their antiplatelet medication. Stopping antiplatelets prior to a surgical procedure may increase the risk of a thrombo-embolic event.
Implement local haemostatic measures as with anticoagulants. NSAIDs increase bleeding risk, therefore do not advise as a post-op analgesic.
Do not prescribe drugs such as Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Carbamazepine and Fluconazole to these patients as they may increase bleeding risk.
Bisphosphonates and RANK-L inhibitors
Types: Alendronic acid, Risedronate, Denusomab.
What: slows down bone loss.
How: reduces osteoclast activity, thereby slowing bone turnover. They also help to preserve bone density and strength.
When: prescribed to patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Warnings: Assess the risk level of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) for each patient taking bisphosphonates or RANK-L inhibitors.
Manage patients of lower risk in primary care with straight forward extractions and don’t prescribe antiseptic prophylaxis.
For those patients that are of higher risk, explore all alternative treatment options to extraction and simple extractions in primary care should be that last resort.
References
Atkin P and Rogers H (2014) The 20 most frequently prescribed drugs – that your patients may be taking. Br Soc Dent Hyg Ther; 53 5(6): 23-5
Audi S, Burrage DR, Lonsdale DO, The ‘top 100’ drugs and classes in England: an updated ‘starter formulary’ for trainee prescribers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 84: 2562-71
Corrêa JD, Queiroz-Junior CM, Costa JE, Teixeira AL and Silva T (2011) Phenytoin-Induced Gingival Overgrowth: A Review of the Molecular, Immune, and Inflammatory Features. ISRN Dent 2011: 1-8
Daly C (2016) Oral and dental effects of antidepressants. Australian Prescriber 39: 84
Harter K, Levine M and Henderson SO (2015) Anticoagulation drug therapy: A review. West J Emerg Med 16: 11-7
Preshaw PM and Bissett SM (2019) Periodontitis and diabetes. Br Dent J 227: 577-84
