Title:Amlodipine Induced Gum Hypertrophy: A Rare Case Report
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Suryanarayana Challa Reddy, Naresh Midha*, Vivek Chhabra, Deepak Kumar and Gopal Krishna Bohra
Affiliation:
- All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Keywords:
Calcium channel blockers, drug induced gingival overgrowth, amlodipine, anticonvulsants, immunosuppressive, antihypertensive.
Abstract:
Background: DIGO or drug-induced gingival overgrowth occurs as a side effect of certain
drugs. Until now, the etiology of drug-induced gingival overgrowth is not clearly understood.
Among the calcium channel blockers, nifedipine has been shown to be most frequently associated
with drug-induced gingival hyperplasia. Amlodipine is a comparatively newer calcium channel
blocker that with a longer duration of action and lesser side effects as compared to nifedipine.
There are only certain case reports of amlodipine-induced gum hyperplasia.
Case presentation: We report a case of amlodipine-induced gum hyperplasia in a 66-year-old hypertensive
patient taking amlodipine at a dose of 5 mg once a day. There was significant regression
of gum hypertrophy after substitution of amlodipine by Losartan.
Conclusion: Amlodipine is one of the commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs, and gingival
hyperplasia is one overlooked side effect in patients taking amlodipine. Awareness of this potential
side effect of amlodipine may be helpful to reduce the anxiety of patients and the cost of diagnostic
procedures.
