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Drug Class:
Selective leukotriene receptor antagonist
Precautions and Contraindications
Hypersensitivity, hepatic dysfunction with prior use of zafirlukast
Dental Considerations
General:
• Midday appointments and a stress-reduction protocol may be required for anxious patients.
• Avoid prescribing aspirin-containing products and NSAIDs.
• Acute asthmatic episodes may be precipitated in the dental office. Sympathomimetic inhalants should be available for emergency use. A stress-reduction protocol may be required.
• Be aware that aspirin or sulfite preservatives in vasoconstrictor-containing products can exacerbate asthma.
• Consider semisupine chair position for patients with respiratory disease or if GI side effects occur.
Drug Class:
Synthetic pyrimidine antiviral
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Serious Reactions
! Peripheral neuropathy (characterized by numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in the lower extremities) occurs in 17% to 31% of patients. These symptoms may be followed by sharp, shooting pain and progress to a severe, continuous, burning pain that may be irreversible if the drug is not discontinued in time.
! Pancreatitis, leukopenia, neutropenia, eosinophilia, and thrombocytopenia occur rarely.
Dental Considerations
General:
• Examine oral cavity for side effects if on long-term drug therapy.
• Monitor vital signs at every appointment because of cardiovascular side effects.
• Palliative medication may be required for management of oral side effects.
• Assess salivary flow as a factor in caries, periodontal disease, and candidiasis.
• Prophylactic antibiotics may be indicated to prevent infection if surgery or deep scaling is planned.
• Patients may be more susceptible to infection and have delayed wound healing.
Drug Class:
Serious Reactions
! Zaleplon may produce altered concentration, behavior changes, and impaired memory.
! Taking the drug while up and about may result in adverse CNS effects, such as hallucinations, impaired coordination, dizziness, and light-headedness.
! Overdose results in somnolence, confusion, diminished reflexes, and coma.