Drugs in Dentistry: What’s new?
There have been some significant changes in the way medications are prescribed and used in dentistry.
Also what’s new are how some medications interact with other medications and even with some types of dental treatments.
Prescribing
Instead of writing the trade name or generic name, it’s now a requirement to write the active ingredients of the medication. We can still write a preferred medication. This is to avoid confusion with all the different trade names for the same active ingredient.
Codeine
Codeine combinations such as Panadeine forte, Panadeine, and basically anything with any amount of codeine, is now under a prescription. Codeine cannot be bought over the counter at the pharmacy or at the supermarket.
This is known as S4 category of the poison schedule. Not a very comforting thought! S8 category medications have further restrictions and dentists can’t prescribe them with a standard prescription.
Medical (Medication) History
We need to know exactly what medications you are taking and why.
Allergies and side effects from medications you have taken in the past.
Your present and past medical conditions/diseases, also future operations and treatment.
Why?
Medications can interact with each. Certain pain medications, such as Nurofen, can affect certain heart medications.
Medications can cause side effects such as increased bleeding, dry mouth, and reduce bone turnover and healing.
Bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis have a low risk in causing poor bone healing after an extraction. However, stopping the treatment before extracting the tooth can cause and increase bone fractures in the spine. So we do not stop the medication as this will cause far greater harm.
In some bone cancer treatments the Bisphosphonates are in a higher concentration so removing teeth is to be avoided.
It’s best to get a full dental assessment before starting these medications.
DO NOT STOP ANY MEDICATION YOURSELF WITHOUT MEDICAL AND DENTAL ADVICE. THE MEDICATION IS MEANT TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!!
Need an Appointment?
If you’d like to book an appointment with the dentist at Seymour Dental then call us in Dulwich Hill, Sydney on (02) 9564 2397 or
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