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Gingival Ischemia and Petechiae in a Patient Medicated With PCSK9 Inhibitor for Hypercholesterolemia: An Adverse Drug Event?
Author(s) -
Thermos Grigoris,
Tosios Konstantinos I.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical advances in periodontics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.182
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 2163-0097
pISSN - 2573-8046
DOI - 10.1002/cap.10043
Subject(s) - medicine , alirocumab , adverse effect , erythema , subcutaneous injection , dentistry , gastroenterology , dermatology , cholesterol , lipoprotein , apolipoprotein a1
Monoclonal antibodies against proprotein‐convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a newly‐introduced therapeutic approach against hypercholesterolemia. Clinical trials have reported few adverse effects of PCSK9 inhibitors and there are no reports of oral adverse effects. We present the case of a patient that showed gingival discomfort on eating and toothbrushing, coupled with the presence of gingival ischemia and petechiae, 3 days after a subcutaneous abdominal injection of 75‐mg alirocumab for hypercholesterolemia, and contemplate on their possible pathogenesis. Case Presentation Αn 81‐year‐old male presented with gingival discomfort during eating and toothbrushing, 3 days after receiving a subcutaneous abdominal injection of alirocumab. Intraoral examination revealed that the anterior free and attached gingiva of both jaws appeared pale and the surrounding mucosa showed confluent petechiae that were more evident on the anterior palatal gingiva. The patient was asked to brush his teeth with a soft toothbrush and use a mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide three times daily. At the 8‐day re‐examination he was symptom‐free, and the mucosa appeared totally normal. At the 5‐month follow‐up visit he reported having the same symptoms after each one of the 12 doses of alirocumab he received. Conclusions Adverse dugs effects associated with subcutaneous injection of alirocumab may manifest in the gingiva. Therefore, oral and periodontal examination should be included in the regular follow‐up of patients medicated with this drug.