title: Complications in patients on therapeutic drugs.
abstract: Increasing numbers of patients take more drugs of ever-increasing potency. Dentists today see many of these patients. They should therefore be aware of the connection between drug administration and emergency situations. In certain instances drug-related complications, side-effects and emergencies of both a local and a general nature can arise. Some local complications are destruction of teeth due to the intake of medicines with high sugar content; erosive lesions of the oral mucosa; paraformaldehyde necrosis; and those arising from the use of chlorhexidine. Systemic complications are anaemia due to aspirin misuse; oral ulceration due to antirheumatic drugs; adrenal insufficiency after glucocorticosteroid medication; catecholamine reactions; anticoagulation therapy and bleeding problems; epilepsy; asthma; aplastic anaemia; opportunistic infections; and allergic reactions. The dentists should be prepared to diagnose and manage these complications whether they arise during dental treatment or following it.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000139:chemically induced; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects; D014070:Tooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D002395:Catecholamines; D011108:Polymers; D005557:Formaldehyde; D001241:Aspirin; D002710:Chlorhexidine; C003043:paraform