Nifedipine-induced parotitis

Nifedipine-induced histological changes in the parotid glands of hypertensive rats

Nifedipine is a widely used anti-anginal and anti-hypertensive agent. It is associated with significant gingival changes attributed more to collagen hyperplasia than to enhancement of protein synthesis. We investigated the influence of nifedipine on morphological changes in the parotid glands of rats in a model of hypertension. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (8-10 weeks; 200±15 g) were divided into four groups (A-D). Hypertension was induced by surgical means in groups C and D. Animals in groups B and D were treated with nifedipine (0.85 mg/kg) via a gastroesophageal catheter the day after surgery (experimental day-1) for 2 weeks. A significant difference was observed between the control group and nifedipine group and between the control group and hypertension group with regard to the weight of the parotid gland and its surface area. Histological findings demonstrated changes in the parotid glands of hypertensive animals with mild vessel dilatation and infiltration of inflammatory cells. These histological findings seemed to be due more to changes in venous function than to alterations in gland architecture.

A review and assessment of drug-induced parotitis

OBJECTIVE

To review the current literature on drug-induced parotitis.

DATA SOURCES

Literature was accessed through MEDLINE/PubMed (1980-May 2012), using the search terms sialadenitis/chemically induced and parotitis/chemically induced. EMBASE (1980-May 2012) was searched using the terms parotitis/diagnosis, sialadenitis/side effect, and parotitis/side effect. International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-May 2012) was searched using the search terms parotitis and sialadenitis. All searches were limited to articles on humans written in English. Inclusion criteria were published letters, case reports, reviews, and clinical trials involving drugs that may be associated with parotitis. Articles pertaining to parotitis induced by iodine-containing drugs were excluded. References of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Review articles, clinical trials, background data, and case reports of drug-induced parotitis were collected and case reports were assessed for causality.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Parotitis is an uncommon adverse effect; however, signs and symptoms of parotitis have been noted in case reports as an adverse drug reaction related to various medications. Assessing causality of an adverse drug reaction such as parotitis is challenging. To help determine the probability of causality for these events, algorithms such as the Naranjo probability scale have been developed. Eighty-four case reports of drug-induced parotitis from 40 different drugs were reviewed using a modified Naranjo probability scale that included criteria specific for parotitis. Medications that met the criteria for establishing causality included l-asparaginase with 7 case reports, clozapine with 13 case reports, and phenylbutazone with 13 case reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug-induced parotitis is a rare adverse drug reaction. Based on the quantitative and qualitative evidence collected from the case reports, medications that are associated with drug-induced parotitis include l-asparaginase, clozapine, and phenylbutazone. Many other drugs have been implicated in the development of parotitis; however, the evidence supporting this association is insufficient to determine causality at this time.

Adenomatoid serous hyperplasia of sublingual gland: a case report

We present an example of adenomatoid serous lobular hyperplasia of the sublingual gland. Pathologic examination revealed the lesion was composed of multiple aggregates of normal-appearing serous and mucous acini that varied in size. The ratio of serous gland to mucous glands was 7 to 1. We cannot identify the cause of this condition, however, calcium channel blocking agents prescribed for the treatment of this patient's essential hypertension cannot be ruled out as a pathogenetic factor in the development of the lesion.

Salivary gland swelling following naproxen therapy

We report allergic sialadenitis as a novel side-effect of naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Bilateral swelling of the major salivary glands and a rash occurred a few days after the patient had taken the drug. High-dose systemic corticosteroid therapy was required to control the disorder. Because the salivary gland swelling was not initially recognized as an adverse drug reaction, further doses of naproxen were given on two occasions, with similar results.

Drug-induced parotitis

Drug-induced parotitis is a relatively uncommon adverse drug reaction. Most of the data on drug-induced parotitis consist of isolated case reports with few attempts at rechallenge to confirm the aetiology. Phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone have a significant number of reports suggesting that these drugs may be implicated in causing parotitis. Antipsychotics, particularly thioridazine, have been associated with parotitis. Most of these reports relate the anticholinergic oral drying as a predisposing factor in the development of a parotid gland infection. There is inadequate literature on the histamine (H2) receptor blockers, interferon-alpha, doxycycline, trimipramine, nifedipine, methyldopa, nitrofurantoin, nicardipine, isoproterenol or ritodrine to link them as aetiological agents in the development of parotitis.