Levamisole Monotherapy in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus-A Clinical Study

ABSTRACT

Background Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of oral mucosa which rarely undergoes spontaneous remission and has potential for malignant transformation. There are several different kinds of treatment that have been used to treat chronic oral lichen planus. Most commonly advised treatment is steroid therapy to treat oral lichen planus either in topical form or systemically. As steroid therapy has various underlying adverse effects other alternative drug has to be used in the treatment of oral lichen planus. Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of levamisole monotherapy in oral lichen planus. Methods Seven patients who had oral lichen planus were treated with levamisole 50 mg thrice daily for 3 consecutive days and not administered for the following 4 days. Result After 2 weeks of treatment, four patients reported with partial response, three patients had no response and no patients showed clearance of the lesion. Furthermore, after 2 months of treatment, five patients showed clearance of lesion, one patient showed partial response and one patient had no response to therapy. There were no significant side effects noted. Conclusion Levamisole therapy can be a substitute to steroid therapy in treating oral lichen planus in patients who can't take steroids.