PC037: Vertical Root Fracture: Two Case Reports
June 2018
in “
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
”
TLDR Finasteride may cause gum side effects in some patients.
The document presents a study that investigated the effects of Finasteride, a medication used to treat male androgenic alopecia, on the marginal periodontium (gums). The study involved 47 patients who were receiving 1 mg of Finasteride daily for at least 4 months. The monitoring period extended beyond the treatment phase to include an additional 6 months to observe any post-treatment symptoms. The results showed that 12 out of the 47 patients experienced adverse effects on the marginal periodontium, including congestion (4 patients), gingival swelling (3 patients), and gingival bleeding (5 patients). Most patients had variable microbial plaque at the initial examination. These side effects were managed with local antimicrobial therapy, and the symptoms decreased more rapidly in patients who discontinued Finasteride treatment. The study concluded that Finasteride could induce adverse effects on the marginal periodontium at usual dosing, potentially due to the drug's direct action or indirect hormonal/immunological changes that affect the tissue's response to bacterial plaque.