whether patients should stop anticoagulant or antiplatelet meds before dental procedures

May 2011

Questions often come up about whether patients should stop anticoagulant or antiplatelet meds before dental procedures.

The answer is almost never.

The risk of thrombosis from stopping these drugs is much higher than the risk of bleeding if they are continued.

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Table of Contents

Infectious Diseases shift in quinolone use as generic levofloxacin (Levaquin) becomes available in June
Antithrombotics Patients can now keep Pradaxa (dabigatran) for 60 days after the bottle is opened
Antithrombotics whether patients should stop anticoagulant or antiplatelet meds before dental procedures
Allergic Reactions true allergy to iodine is a medical myth
Vaccines YOUNGER patients are now eligible for Zostavax to prevent shingles
Women's Health when to use metformin or pioglitazone for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Women's Health new approaches to decreasing preterm births with Makena (hydroxyprogesterone) and terbutaline
Psychiatry systemic corticosteroids can cause adverse CNS effects
Asthma children getting inhaled corticosteroids PRN for MILD persistent asthma
Oral Health warning about the use of OTC oral benzocaine gels or liquids (Anbesol, Orajel, etc) in children under age 2
Oral Health Xerese (zuh-REES), a new Rx topical product for cold sores (herpes simplex labialis)
Lupus new IV monoclonal antibody for severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Benlysta (ben-LIST-a, belimumab)
Neurology & Pain new risk management programs with Abstral (AB-stral) and other immediate-release fentanyl products