Gingival hyperplasia induced by nifedipine.

Abstract

Nifedipine has been applied clinically to circulatory disorders such as essential hypertension, renal hypertension and angina cordis, but has been rapid in gaining popularity in Japan.Its mechanism of action is as follows:This drug works on the cell membrane and obstructs the influx of calcium ions into the cell. This change depresses contractility, dilates the coronary arteries and decreases myocardial oxygen consumption.On the other hand, as do all effective drugs, this drug has side effects, one of which is gingival hyperplasia. This clinical condition is extremely similar to the gingival hyperplasia induced by dyphenylhydantoin, used for the treatment of epilepsy.Patients with nifedipine-induced gingival hypertension often visit the dental clinic without noticing the causal relation to the drug.A 60-year-old man visited our hospital with a chief complaint of unpleasant changes in his gingiva over 4 months. He had been receiving nifedipine for his hypertension as prescribed by his physician for about one year.In general, once administration of the drug is stopped gingival hyperplasia can be cured only by scaling and maintaining a strict tooth brushing regimen.This patient was cured and his gingiva were easily restored to health.