Antihistaminic Therapy for Gingival Hyperplasia Due to Dilantin

Abstract

GINGIVAL hyperplasia is a common side reaction to diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) therapy for epilepsy, being reported in 50 per cent to over 60 per cent of cases.^{1 2 3} The most successful management, besides stopping Dilantin therapy, is conservative periodontal treatment^{4 , 5} although gingivectomy has been used.^{5 6 7} No successful drug therapies have been reported. In the following cases 2 patients responded successfully to antihistaminic therapy employing chlorprophenpyridamine maleate (Teldrin Spansule capsules).Case ReportsCase 1. A 12-year-old boy had been receiving Dilantin for several years. When he was first seen, his teeth were almost completely covered by his gingiva. His presenting complaint was . . .