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Adverse Drug Reactions: Part 2 Oral Ulceration

BDJ Student volume 30, pages 26–27 (2023)Cite this article

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unexpected effects of a drug, outside of its normal therapeutic benefit. Typically, ADRs are reversible, predictable and dose-dependent but when idiosyncratic, produce noxious outcomes for patients.1 ADRs frequently manifest as oral lesions and pathology, including oral ulceration, xerostomia, candidiasis and gingival hyperplasia.2 This series aims to educate dental practitioners on common oral manifestations of ADRs and how to identify and manage these conditions.

Oral ulceration is defined as a breach in the oral epithelium, usually exposing nerve endings in the underlying lamina propria, which result in pain or soreness. It is a common manifestation affecting 20% of the population.3 A wide range of aetiologies result in oral ulceration, including but not limited to traumatic, infective, dermatoses related, manifestations of systemic disease or malignancy.

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  11. Healy C M, Smyth Y, Flint S R. Persistent nicorandil induced oral ulceration. Heart 2004; 90: e38-40.

  12. NICE.Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. 2015. Available online at:www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/resources/suspected-cancer-recognition-and-referral-pdf-1837268071621 (accessed August 2022).

  13. Field E A, Allan B. Oral ulceration-aetiopathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and management in the gastrointestinal clinic. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003; 18: 949-962.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom

    Nidhi Parmar

  2. King´s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

    Gabby Thompson

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  1. Nidhi Parmar
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  2. Gabby Thompson
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Correspondence to Nidhi Parmar.

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Parmar, N., Thompson, G. Adverse Drug Reactions: Part 2 Oral Ulceration. BDJ Student 30, 26–27 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-022-0921-7

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