Oxpentifylline is not effective for symptomatic oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: There are no reliably effective therapies for oral lichen planus (OLP). The aim of the present work was to determine the potential efficacy of oxpentifylline in the management of OLP. METHODS: Fifteen patients (six males, median age for the group 52 years, ranging from 33 to 72) with clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP were treated with oxpentifylline at a dose of 400 mg three times daily. RESULTS: Only 10 patients completed an 8 week course, the other five having to stop therapy because of adverse effects. Only three patients had any relief of their signs and symptoms of OLP. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that oxpentifylline is unlikely to be of benefit for the treatment of OLP.