Aziz et al reviewed drug-induced disorders of the tongue. Some drugs cause neurological changes. The authors are from Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Royal Dutch Pharmacists and University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
Neurological changes may include:
(1) burning tongue (burning mouth syndrome)
(2) dysaesthesia (unpleasant sensation)
(3) pain (glossodynia)
(4) numbness
(5) pruritus
Agent
Effects may include
allergen
burning tongue, pruritus, glossodynia
local anesthetic
numbness
antibiotics, anti-infectives
burning tongue, dysesthesia, glossodynia
antineoplastic agents
burning tongue, dysesthesia, glossodynia
inhaled adrenergics
burning tongue
Visible changes to the tongue may or may not be present.
A drug cause should be suspected when:
(1) onset of the complaint was after the drug was started
(2) symptoms improve after the drug is stopped, then worsen if drug restarted
(3) other causes have been excluded
(4) the symptoms are typical for the drug
Differential diagnosis:
(1) neural trauma
(2) infection
(3) non-drug toxin
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