Psychotropic drugs and bruxism.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Sleep and awake bruxism is defined as 'a parafunctional activity including clenching, bracing, gnashing, and grinding of the teeth'. Some evidence suggests that bruxism may be caused by, or associated with, alterations in the CNS neurotransmission. Several classes of psychotropic drugs interfering with CNS activity may potentially contribute to bruxism. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine relevant peer-reviewed papers to identify and describe the various classes of psychotropic substances that may cause, exacerbate or reduce bruxism as the result of their pharmacological action in CNS neurons.

AREAS COVERED:

A literature search from 1980 to the present was performed using PubMed database. The term 'bruxism' was used in association with 'psychotropic', 'dopamine (DA)', 'serotonin', 'histamine', 'antipsychotics', 'antidepressants', 'antihistaminergics' and 'stimulants'.

EXPERT OPINION:

Studies on the effects of DA agonists (Levo-DOPA, psychostimulants) and antagonists (antipsychotics) identified a central role of DA in the pathogenesis of pharmacologically induced bruxism. Important information from studies on drugs acting on serotonin neurotransmission (antidepressants) was recognized. Other mechanisms involving different neurotransmitters are emerging. This is the case of antihistaminergic drugs which may induce bruxism as a consequence of their disinhibitory effect on the serotonergic system.

• Authors: Giovanni Falisi, Claudio Rastelli, Fabrizio Panti, Horacio Maglione, Raul Quezada Arcega
• Journal: Expert opinion on drug safety (Expert Opin Drug Saf) Vol. 13 Issue 10 Pg. 1319-26 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1744-764X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25195948 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Dopamine Agonists
• Dopamine Antagonists
• Histamine Antagonists
• Psychotropic Drugs
• Serotonin
• Dopamine

Topics

• Animals
• Antidepressive Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Bruxism (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Dopamine Agonists (adverse effects)
• Dopamine Antagonists (adverse effects)
• Histamine Antagonists (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Psychotropic Drugs (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Sleep Bruxism (chemically induced, epidemiology)