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Palate Hyperpigmentation Caused by Prolonged Use of the Anti-Malarial Chloroquine

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Abstract

The side-effects of many drugs manifest in the oral mucosa. The anti-malarial agent chloroquine diphosphate, which is also used to treat immunological, dermatological, and rheumatological disorders, usually causes pigmentary changes in the oral mucosa. This report presents a case of palate pigmentation related to the prolonged use of chloroquine diphosphate caused by the deposition of drug metabolites in the mucosa. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these drugs and their adverse effects in order to make the correct diagnosis, decide on the optimal treatment for the condition, or refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dentistry, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Mário Rodrigues de Melo Filho, Maria Betânia de Oliveira Pires & Sabina Pena Borges Pêgo

  2. Radiotherapy Service of Santa Casa Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Mário Rodrigues de Melo Filho, Maria Betânia de Oliveira Pires, Sabina Pena Borges Pêgo & Edmilson Martins de Freitas

  3. Pro-Rectory of Extension, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Edmilson Martins de Freitas

  4. DDS, State University of Montes Claros, Unimontes, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Célsia Adriane Dias da Silva & Maurício da Rocha Dourado

Authors
  1. Mário Rodrigues de Melo Filho
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  2. Célsia Adriane Dias da Silva
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  3. Maurício da Rocha Dourado
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  4. Maria Betânia de Oliveira Pires
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  5. Sabina Pena Borges Pêgo
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  6. Edmilson Martins de Freitas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maurício da Rocha Dourado.

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de Melo Filho, M.R., da Silva, C.A.D., da Rocha Dourado, M. et al. Palate Hyperpigmentation Caused by Prolonged Use of the Anti-Malarial Chloroquine. Head and Neck Pathol 6, 48–50 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-011-0288-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-011-0288-5

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