Der Einfluss von Arzneimitteln auf die Mundschleimhaut

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are not rare and may have a wide variety of clinical presentations. Because of the increasing number of multimorbid older patients with polypharmacy it is likely that more ADEs will be encountered in the future. Medication-induced changes of the oral mucosa can be classified into hyposalivation and xerostomia, sensory disturbances, aphthous-like or erosive lesions, lichenoid reactions, pigmentations, angioedema, and malignant transformation. In general, an orofacial ADE can only be suggested if there is a close time connection between drug intake and the onset of the reaction. Dentists as well as oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be familiar with oral lesions possibly related to medication because these adverse reactions often have a strong impact on the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, in this context, intensive interdisciplinary teamwork is recommended in order to consider possibilities to discontinue the triggering drug or to modify the medication.