Clinical decision-support only. For use by licensed dental professionals. Not a substitute for professional judgment or a complete drug reference. Always verify with primary sources.
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Medication

Amiodarone

Antiarrhythmic (class III)

Brand names: Cordarone, Pacerone

Oral health effects

  • Bluish-gray mucosal/skin pigmentation

    Long-term use can cause slate-gray to bluish discoloration of sun-exposed skin and occasionally oral mucosa.

    Mechanism: Lipofuscin/drug deposition in tissues.

    Clinical management: Reassure; document; coordinate with prescriber. Counsel on photosensitivity.

  • Dysgeusia / dry mouth

    Metallic taste and dry mouth occasionally reported.

    Clinical management: Symptomatic care.

Sources

  1. A Guide to Medications Inducing Salivary Gland Dysfunction, Xerostomia, and Subjective Sialorrhea: A Systematic Review Sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI. Wolff A, Joshi RK, Ekström J, et al. Drugs in R&D, 2017.
  2. A review and guide to drug-associated oral adverse effects-Dental, salivary and neurosensory reactions. Part 1. Teoh L, Moses G, McCullough MJ. Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology, 2019.
  3. Adverse drug events in the oral cavity. Yuan A, Woo SB. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2015.