Efficacy of oral low-dose tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) in lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Retinoids were shown to be effective in the treatment of both oral and cutaneous forms of lichen planus.


OBJECTIVE
Confirm the beneficial effect of low doses of oral tretinoin in lichen planus.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with lichen planus were treated in an open study for up to 19 months. Efficacy and safety data were recorded.


RESULTS
Complete remission was observed in 13 (72%) and marked improvement in 4 (22%) out of 18 patients. Six patients showed moderate and 12 had no side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Tretinoin is a valuable drug when given at low doses to patients with lichen planus who failed to respond to other therapies.
Ott
F
F
Zürich, Pharmaceutical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
Bollag
W
W
Geiger
J M
JM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin