title: Systemic absorption of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide as topical application in management of oral lichen planus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for oral lichen planus (OLP) due to its potential anti-inflammatory effect. However, chronic nature of OLP often requires long-term and frequent applications, exposing patients to local and systemic side effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To detect the systemic absorption of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) through the oral mucosa of patients with OLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pilot pharmacokinetic study carried out in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology in collaboration with the Department of Toxicology, over 10 months. A total of twenty patients with OLP were included and advised to apply 0.1% TAC 3 times/day for 2 weeks and 2 times/day for next 2 weeks. Blood samples were obtained on the first and second visits and analyzed for triamcinolone using High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired t-test was done to compare visual analog scale (VAS) score for burning sensation at the first and second visits, statistically significant if P < 0.05. The baseline demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paired t-test was done to compare VAS score for burning sensation at the first and second visits, which turned to being statistically significant (P = 0.001). Although HPLC is an established method for the detection of TAC, none of the study populations showed evidence of steroid (TAC) in the blood sample during 4 weeks of treatment duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  0.1% triamcinolone is a relatively safe drug to be used with no systemic absorption in the standard dose regimen for oral lichen palnus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Athira Aruna
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ramadas
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Renju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Toxicology and Forensic Biotechnology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Arathy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Marina Lazar
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chandy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Sreeja P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D065567:Absorption, Physiological; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide