OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of adverse oral drug reactions in patients on antihypertensive drugs. To identify factors associated with occurrence of these reactions
METHODS: a descriptive study of 65 patients on antihypertensive drugs and 65 other patients who were not on antihypertensive as control, all these patients attended Lagos state university teaching hospital out patient clinic. Interviewer administered questionnaire and oral examination of these patients were used for data collection.
RESULTS: Of the 65 patients seen on antihypertensive drugs, 4(6.2%), 11(16.9%), 29(44.6%) had ulcers, white lesions, gingival enlargement respectively compared to the control group where only 2(3.1%), 5(7.9%), 3 (4.6%) had ulcers, white lesions and gingival enlargement respectively. Only the oral hygiene had significant association with gingival enlargement (p value= 0.014)
CONCLUSIONS: Oral drug reactions due to antihypertensive drugs are quite prevalent among Nigerians and should be recognized by both prescribing physicians and dentists so that optimal care is given to patients under their care.