Some medications can cause a buildup of gum tissue, a condition called "gingival overgrowth." Gum tissue becomes so swollen that it begins to grow over the teeth and could lead to gum disease. Medications that can cause this include:
Men are more likely to develop this side effect.
- Phenytoin, a seizure medication
- Cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant drug often used to prevent transplant rejection
- Blood pressure medications called calcium channel blockers, which include nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, and amlodipine