The negative impact of medications on wound healing

Abstract

Chronic wounds can lead to amputations and significant decreases in quality of life. Many commonly used medications are known to cause ulcers or perpetuate chronic wounds. A variety of medication classes can impair wound healing through affecting cells within the skin, metabolism, immune cell function, angiogenesis and coagulation. This review aims to highlight the main types of drugs which negatively impact wound healing. Cancer treatments, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, and some antibiotics are all risk factors for cutaneous adverse effects. Identifying drug-induced impaired wound healing is important to counsel patients and their medical practitioners on weighing up the benefits and risks of these medications.