Nifedipine aggravates cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia
A Bökenkamp1, B Bohnhorst, C Beier
1Kinderklinik Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
Gingival hyperplasia is a common side-effect of immunosuppression with cyclosporine A. Nifedipine is often used to control hypertension in kidney graft recipients. Analysis of gingival status in 106 children transplanted at our centre, and treated either with azathioprine, cyclosporine A or both, revealed significantly higher degrees of gingival overgrowth in those children receiving a combination of cyclosporine A and nifedipine compared with those children treated with cyclosporine A or nifedipine alone. Seven children undergoing gingivectomy at our centre over the past few years had received this combination. After a change in the antihypertensive regimen, avoiding long-term nifedipine medication, and improved dental care with chlorhexidine gel, we noted a reduction in the degree of gingival hyperplasia. In the majority of patients, nifedipine could be replaced by a single drug, usually hydralazine. We therefore recommend avoiding calcium channel blockers in the long-term management of hypertension in patients receiving cyclosporine.
More Related Videos
08:46Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels
Published on: March 22, 2024
10:01Structure-Guided Design and Development of Novel Cyclophilin A Inhibitors and Ganoderiol-F Derivatives: An In-Silico Approach
Published on: June 23, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Several...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
