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Psychotropic drugs and bruxism
Giovanni Falisi1, Claudio Rastelli, Fabrizio Panti
1University of L'Aquila, School of Dentistry, Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences , Piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito (AQ), L'Aquila , Italy +39 0862433202 ; +39 08624332 ; g.falisi@tiscali.it.
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
|September 9, 2014
Summary
Psychotropic medications can cause or worsen bruxism (teeth grinding) by affecting brain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Antipsychotics and stimulants are particularly implicated, while antihistamines may indirectly influence bruxism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Bruxism, a parafunctional activity involving teeth grinding, may stem from central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmission alterations.
- Psychotropic drugs, which affect CNS activity, are potential contributors to bruxism development or exacerbation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review peer-reviewed literature and identify psychotropic substances that influence bruxism.
- To describe the pharmacological mechanisms by which these drugs affect CNS neurons and bruxism.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed database from 1980 to the present.
- Keywords included 'bruxism' combined with terms related to psychotropic drugs, neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, histamine), and drug classes (antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistaminergics, stimulants).
Main Results:
- Dopamine agonists (e.g., Levo-DOPA, psychostimulants) and antagonists (antipsychotics) highlight dopamine's role in pharmacologically induced bruxism.
- Antidepressants acting on serotonin neurotransmission also show significant associations with bruxism.
- Antihistaminergic drugs may induce bruxism via disinhibition of the serotonergic system, indicating emerging neurotransmitter involvement.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine pathways are central to drug-induced bruxism, with both agonists and antagonists playing a role.
- Serotonergic and histaminergic systems are also implicated in the pharmacological etiology of bruxism.
- Further research into diverse neurotransmitter systems is crucial for understanding and managing drug-related bruxism.
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