tacrolimus and Facial-Pain

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered to be an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology that affects the mucosae, especially the oral cavity.. We compared tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and clobetasol 0.05% ointment for the treatment of OLP.. A total of 32 patients (20 females and 12 males; all white, Italian origin, mean age of 43.6+/-18.4 years; 16 patients per treatment group) were treated with tacrolimus or clobetasol ointment for 4 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Pain severity, burning sensation, and mucosal lesion extension were assessed using a four-point scale.. At the end of the treatment period, symptom scores were significantly lower in the tacrolimus group than in the clobetasol group.. The results of this study suggest that tacrolimus 0.1% ointment is more effective than clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment in the treatment of OLP. However, other studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment before it can be recommended for use in clinical practice.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Clobetasol; Epidemiologic Methods; Facial Pain; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lichen Planus, Oral; Male; Ointment Bases; Saliva; Tacrolimus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, relative safety, and tolerability of 1% pimecrolimus cream in the treatment of oral erosive lichen planus (OELP).. Twenty patients with OELP were randomized into equal groups; group 1 applied 1% pimecrolimus cream twice daily to their oral lesions for 4 weeks, whereas group 2 applied a placebo cream. Photographs of the lesions were taken and analyzed for areas of ulceration, erythema, and reticulation. Discomfort scores were also assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Blood samples were taken at baseline and at study completion; a complete blood count with differential and comprehensive metabolic panel was ordered. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used.. The experimental group showed a decrease in ulceration (alpha = 0.068) and erythema (alpha = 0.005) at the mid-point with continued reduction of erythema at the final (alpha = 0.075) time measurement. The control group demonstrated an increase in reticulation at the mid-point (alpha = 0.017) and final (alpha = 0.007) time measurement. The VAS scores for the experimental group decreased during the study (alpha = 0.022). Blood levels were within the normal range.. The OELP lesion size in the 1% pimecrolimus group decreased and the pimecrolimus cream was found to significantly reduce the patient's pain scores. Further study of 1% pimecrolimus as therapy for OELP is warranted since it was shown to be effective, relatively safe, and well tolerated by patients within the limits of this short-term study.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Double-Blind Method; Facial Pain; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lichen Planus, Oral; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Pain Measurement; Pilot Projects; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tacrolimus