Nicorandil can induce severe oral ulceration.
OBJECTIVE
To increase physicians' and dentists' awareness that nicorandil is a potential inducer of severe mouth ulceration.


METHODS
Nine new cases of ulceration from 3 European countries were included in this study.


RESULTS
Oral ulceration developed within 9 months of beginning nicorandil therapy, and ulcers resolved within 1 month of withdrawal of the drug. No lesions developed on other epithelia.


CONCLUSIONS
A number of drugs used in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease can cause oral adverse effects. Nicorandil, a new potassium-channel activator used in some countries to treat angina pectoris, precipitates persistent ulcerative stomatitis in some patients.
Scully
C
C
Department of Oral Medicine, Eastman Dental Institute of Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, England. CScully@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
Azul
A M
AM
Crighton
A
A
Felix
D
D
Field
A
A
Porter
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D020108:Nicorandil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015221:Potassium Channels; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020108:Nicorandil