Table II. Top 10 medications of 2001 by total number of prescriptions dispensed
Drug name	Therapeutic classification	Oral complication(s)	Management
1. Lipitor®	Cholesterol-lowering	xerostomia, vomiting aphthous/stomatitis	artificial saliva substitutes and toothpastes formulated to reduce the sensation of oral dryness; fluoride; avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; use a humidifer; and use rinses or ointments with topical anesthetic
2. Synthroid®	Thyroid hormone	none	none
3. Premarin®	Estrogen replacement	candida, vomiting, gingivitis	antifungal agents; bactericidal rinse; fuoride; meticulous plaque control; and toothpastes formulated to help maintain a balanced oral flora
4. Hydrocodone/APAP	Narcotic analgesic	vomiting, mucosal atrophy of tongue, dysgeusia	Fluoride, favor foods; meticulous oral hygiene
5. Norvasc®	Calcium channel blocker	xerostomia, gingival hyperplasia, dysgeusia	artificial saliva substitutes; ?uoride; toothpastes formulated with antibacterial enzymes to support natural salivary defenses; avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; use a humidifier; consult physician regarding an alternative medication that does not affect gingival tissue; and flavor foods
6. Prilosec™	Antisecretory compound	xerostomia, candida	arti?cial saliva substitutes; ?uoride; toothpastes formulated with antibacterial enzymes to support natural salivary defenses; avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; use a humidifier; flavor foods; antifungal bactericidal rinse
7. Zoloft™	Antidepressant	xerostomia, bruxism	arti?cial saliva substitutes; fluoride; toothpastes formulated to relieve the sensation of oral dryness; avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; humidi?er; fabricate mouthguard
8. Claritin®	Antihistamine	xerostomia, dysgeusia, vomiting	artificial saliva substitutes; fluoride; toothpastes formulated to relieve the sensation of oral dryness; avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; humidifier; ?avor foods
9. Prevacid®	Antisecretory compound	xerostomia; dysgeusia	avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; toothpastes formulated to relieve the sensation of oral dryness; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; use a humidifier; flavor foods
10. Celebrex™	NSAID, COX-2 selective	xerostomia, dysgeusia vomiting, aphthous stomatitis	avoid mouthwashes with alcohol; toothpastes formulated to relieve the sensation of oral dryness; avoid sugars, tobacco, caffeine; sip water; chew sugarless gum; use a humidifier; flavor foods; use rinses or ointments with topical anesthetic

Adapted from Spolarich AE:The Top 10 most commonly prescribed medications for 2001, Access 2002; July:49.