Treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with clofazimine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to investigate the safety and efficacy of clofazimine for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.


METHODS
In this randomized controlled partially blind study, 23 patients received clofazimine 100 mg daily for 30 days and then 100 mg every other day. Twenty-three patients received colchicine 0.5 mg 3 times daily. Twenty patients received 1 placebo pill 2 times daily. All subjects received medications for 6 months. The chi-squared or Fisher exact tests were used to assess drug efficacy with respect to objective findings and symptoms.


RESULTS
A greater percentage of individuals in the clofazimine group had no further aphthous episodes (17%-44% compared with <or=6% in the other groups). A significantly greater percentage of treatment interruption occurred in the colchicine group because of gastrointestinal effects (23%-45%). Individuals in the clofazimine group who continued to suffer from aphthous stomatitis presented with better results for the evaluated variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Clofazimine should be considered for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
de Abreu
Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado
MA
Stomatology Division, Dermatology Service, Paulista West University, São Paulo, Brazil. marildaderma@bol.com.br
Hirata
Cleonice Hitomi Watashi
CH
Pimentel
Dalva Regina Neto
DR
Weckx
Luc Louis Maurice
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002991:Clofazimine; D003078:Colchicine