The effect of levosulpiride in burning mouth syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This paper evaluated the efficacy of the systemic administration of levosulpiride, an antipsychotic and antidepressant drug, in the management of burning mouth syndrome.


METHODS
Forty-four subjects suffering from idiopathic burning mouth syndrome were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent a thorough clinical examination, including salivary flow rate measurements, laboratory tests (complete blood cell counts, blood glucose levels, serum iron and transferrin levels, serum vitamin B(12), and folate levels), patch tests for contact allergy to denture materials, and isolation of Candida species from oral mucosal scrapes. Oral symptoms before and after treatment were assessed using a visual analogue scale. All the patients used systemic levosulpiride (100 mg/daily) for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Of the 39 patients who completed the protocol, none reported complete remission of the oral burning sensation. However, 28 patients reported at least some improvement, and these patients had had oral symptoms for significantly less time than those who reported no improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that levosulpiride is more effective in patients who have recently developed burning/stinging oral sensation.
Demarosi
F
F
Unit of Oral Pathology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Tarozzi
M
M
Lodi
G
G
Canegallo
L
L
Rimondini
L
L
Sardella
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; C078143:levosulpiride