Oral adverse effects: drug-induced tongue disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Due to a worldwide increase in drug consumption, oral healthcare professionals are frequently confronted with patients using one or more drugs. A large number of drugs can be accompanied with adverse drug reactions in the orofacial region, amongst others of the tongue. This paper aims to give an overview of drugs that are known to be accompanied with tongue disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The national drug information database for Dutch pharmacists, composed of scientific drug information, guidelines and summaries of product characteristics, was analysed for drug-induced tongue disorders. "MedDRA classification" and "Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes" were used to categorize the disorders. RESULTS: The database comprises of 1645 drugs of which 121 (7.4%) are documented to be accompanied with tongue disorders as an adverse effect. Drug-induced tongue disorders are predominantly observed in the following drug categories: "nervous systems," "anti-infectives for systemic use" and "alimentary tract and metabolism". The most common drug-induced tongue disorders are glossitis, tongue oedema, tongue discoloration and burning tongue. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals are frequently confronted with drugs that can cause tongue disorders. The overview of drugs reported in this article supports clinicians in their awareness, diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced tongue disorders.

Oral adverse effects of drugs: Taste disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Oral healthcare professionals are frequently confronted with patients using drugs on a daily basis. These drugs can cause taste disorders as adverse effect. The literature that discusses drug-induced taste disorders is fragmented. This article aims to support oral healthcare professionals in their decision making whether a taste disorder can be due to use of drugs by providing a comprehensive overview of drugs with taste disorders as an adverse effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The national drug information database for Dutch pharmacists, based on scientific drug information, guidelines, and summaries of product characteristics, was analyzed for drug-induced taste disorders. "MedDRA classification" and "Anatomic Therapeutical Chemical codes" were used to categorize the results. RESULTS: Of the 1,645 drugs registered in the database, 282 (17%) were documented with "dysgeusia" and 61 (3.7%) with "hypogeusia." Drug-induced taste disorders are reported in all drug categories, but predominantly in "antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents," "antiinfectives for systemic use," and "nervous system." In ~45%, "dry mouth" coincided as adverse effect with taste disorders. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals are frequently confronted with drugs reported to cause taste disorders. This article provides an overview of these drugs to support clinicians in their awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of drug-induced taste disorders.