Verapamil
Calcium channel blocker (non-dihydropyridine)
Brand names: Calan, Verelan
Oral health effects
Gingival overgrowth
Associated with gingival overgrowth in some patients.
Mechanism: Altered calcium flux in gingival fibroblasts with reduced collagen degradation; plaque acts as a co-factor.
Clinical management: Optimize plaque control and recall frequency; discuss substitution with the physician for significant cases; surgical reduction if persistent.
Xerostomia
Dry mouth is reported with verapamil.
Clinical management: Hydration, salivary substitutes, caries prevention.
Sources
- Calcium channel blocker-induced gingival enlargement. Livada R, Shiloah J. Journal of human hypertension, 2014.
- Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth-Molecular Aspects of Drug Actions. Droździk A, Droździk M. International journal of molecular sciences, 2023.
- 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.
- 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.