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Pharmacology · single question

A female patient taking estradiol (estrogen therapy) is scheduled for a dental extraction. All of the following are true regarding her care EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

  1. Antibiotics can hinder the effectiveness of analgesics
  2. Oral contraceptives/estrogen increases thromboembolism risk
  3. Estrogen therapy increases the risk of dry socket
  4. Estrogen may interact with certain systemic medications
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Correct answer: A. Antibiotics can hinder the effectiveness of analgesics

  • A. CORRECT. Antibiotics do NOT hinder (reduce) the effectiveness of analgesics. These two drug classes work via different mechanisms (antibiotics target bacteria; analgesics act on pain pathways/enzymes) and do not antagonize each other's effects. This statement is FALSE, making it the EXCEPTION.
  • B. Estrogen therapy increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism — this is a well-established side effect relevant to surgical procedures.
  • C. Estrogen (including oral contraceptives) increases the risk of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) by promoting fibrinolysis — scheduling extractions during the low-estrogen phase of the cycle (days 23–28) is recommended.
  • D. Estrogen is metabolized hepatically and can interact with medications processed by the same CYP450 pathways — a legitimate pharmacological consideration.

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