Levamisole monotherapy for oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Several different kinds of drugs have been used to treat chronic oral lichen planus (OLP). During the last decade, there have been several reports demonstrating success with levamisole and low dose prednisolone therapy for treating OLP. However, some OLP patients who have underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and malignancy are unable to take steroids.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate levamisole monotherapy for treating OLP.


METHODS
Eleven patients who had OLP were treated with levamisole between 2005 and 2007. The levamisole was administered at a dose 50 mg thrice daily for three consecutive days, but then it was not administered on the following four days.


RESULTS
After 2 weeks of treatment, 8 patients reported a partial response, 3 patients reported no response and no patients reported clearance of lesion. After 4 weeks of treatment, 6 patients reported a partial response, 3 patients reported no response and 2 patients reported clearance of lesion. Furthermore, after 3 months of treatment, 3 patients reported a partial response, 3 patients reported no response and 5 patients reported complete clearance of lesion. Clinical improvement was shown in 2 weeks, whilst the mean duration to achieve clearance of lesion was 6.2 weeks. Although 1 patient had mild itching, there were no significant adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Levamisole monotherapy could be a successful and safe treatment option for patients with chronic OLP and who cannot take steroids.
Department of Dermatology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.
Tai Hyok
TH
Won
Se Young
SY
Park
Bo Suk
BS
Kim
Phil Seung
PS
Seo
Seok Don
SD
Park