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Oral ulcer associated with alendronate: a case report
Mohammad Kharazmi1, Kerstin Sjöqvist, Milad Rizk
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Central Hospital, Västerås, Sweden.
Summary
Alendronate can irritate the aerodigestive tract. This study details the first case of severe oral ulceration caused by alendronate, even when used correctly, highlighting a rare but serious adverse effect.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Alendronate is a bisphosphonate commonly prescribed for osteoporosis.
- Aerodigestive tract irritation is a known side effect of alendronate.
- Oral ulceration linked to alendronate is rare, with previous reports primarily associated with drug misuse.
Observation:
- This report presents a case of severe oral ulceration.
- The ulceration occurred despite appropriate therapeutic administration of alendronate.
- This contrasts with the established association between alendronate misuse and oral ulceration.
Findings:
- Alendronate use, even without misuse, can lead to severe oral ulceration.
- This represents the first documented case of oral ulceration attributed to correct alendronate use.
- The mechanism underlying this specific adverse effect requires further investigation.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for severe oral ulceration as an adverse effect of alendronate, irrespective of administration method.
- This finding may necessitate revised patient counseling and monitoring protocols for alendronate therapy.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and identify risk factors for alendronate-induced oral ulceration.
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