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

Haloperidol

Antipsychotic (typical)

Brand names: Haldol

Oral health effects

  • Xerostomia (dry mouth)

    Reduced salivary flow raising caries, candidiasis, and mucosal discomfort risk.

    Clinical management: Hydration, sugar-free gum/xylitol, salivary substitutes, high-fluoride products; reinforce caries prevention.

  • Tardive dyskinesia (orofacial movements)

    Long-term use can cause involuntary repetitive tongue, lip, and jaw movements that complicate dental care and denture wear.

    Mechanism: Chronic dopamine-receptor blockade and receptor supersensitivity.

    Clinical management: Recognize and document; refer to prescriber; movements may impair hygiene and prosthesis retention.

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.