Topical tacrolimus in the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus: a series of 13 patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common, chronic inflammatory condition, which frequently presents with symptoms of pain and irritation. OLP is often difficult to manage. Therefore there is a need for more effective and safer therapies for symptomatic OLP.

OBJECTIVE:

Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus as therapy for symptomatic OLP.

METHODS:

A retrospective review was performed of 13 patients with symptomatic OLP treated with topical tacrolimus between September 1999 and September 2000.

RESULTS:

Eleven of the 13 patients reported definite symptomatic response to treatment and 2 had no response. Eight patients had a partial response, whereas 3 patients had a complete response with respect to lesion clearance. Seven of the responding patients had no flares with continued treatment. The other 4 patients noted flares soon after stopping the treatment. Side effects were rare and minor.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this retrospective case series of 13 patients, topical tacrolimus was well tolerated and appeared to be an effective therapy to control symptoms and clear lesions of OLP.

• Authors: Todd W Rozycki, Roy S Rogers 3rd, Mark R Pittelkow, Marian T McEvoy, Rokea A el-Azhary, Alison J Bruce, Joseph P Fiore, Mark D P Davis
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 46 Issue 1 Pg. 27-34 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11756942 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Lichen Planus, Oral (drug therapy, pathology)
• Male
• Medical Records
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Tacrolimus (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome