Common Medications Prescribed by Oral Medicine Practitioners in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prescribing medication is a core component of oral medicine practice and understanding prescription patterns is essential to improving clinical decision‑making, adherence to guidelines, and comprehensive patient care. However, data on the prescription patterns among oral medicine (OM) practitioners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are limited. Therefore, this study aimed identify the medications most commonly prescribed by OM practitioners in KSA and examine differences in prescribing behaviors according to practitioner experience.

This cross-sectional survey included OM practitioners from multiple cities in KSA. Participants included consultants, specialists, and residents, and were recruited from government hospitals, universities, and private institutions. Data on medication type, prescription trends, guideline adherence, and reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were collected.

A total of 76 OM practitioners responded to the questionnaire. Steroids, splints, and lasers were the most commonly used therapeutic agents. The most frequently prescribed analgesics were ibuprofen and paracetamol, whereas antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral prescriptions showed significant variations according to practitioner experience, with consultants and specialists prescribing a broader range of antibiotics than residents. Topical corticosteroids, particularly clobetasol propionate, were widely used, and prednisolone was the most frequently used systemic immunosuppressant. However, smoking‑cessation counseling was inadequate. Although most practitioners reported no ADRs, specialists identified more ADRs than residents, indicating differences in recognition according to experience.

Prescription patterns in OM vary substantially. Particularly the use of antibiotics and immunosuppressants varies according to practitioner experience. The findings in this study highlight the need for improved adherence to prescription guidelines, enhanced pharmacovigilance training, and broader implementation of smoking‑cessation counseling to support holistic patient care in KSA.