[Nicardipine-induced gingival hyperplasia]

Drug-induced gingival hyperplasia is usually associated with the administration of hydantoin in individuals with epilepsy. The same side effect has also been reported, however, after administration of cyclosporin and some calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem and nitrendipine in adults generally or in the elderly, as well as after experimental exodipin administration to rats. We report an 8.5-years-old boy who had been receiving nicardipine treatment for cerebral vascular disease since the age of 20 months, with gradually increasing doses and no side effects for 5 years. Gingival hyperplasia then presented and progressed over the next two years after the dose was increased from 40 to 50 mg/day. The patient was not taking and has never taken any other medication. This is the first case of gingival hyperplasia induced by nicardipine described to date.