Oral erosive/ulcerative lichen planus: preliminary findings in an open trial of sulodexide compared with cyclosporine (ciclosporin) therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of the heparinoid sulodexide systemically, compared with topical cyclosporine (ciclosporin), on chronic oral erosive/ulcerative lichen planus.

STUDY DESIGN

An open nonrandomized trial was conducted in two groups of 10 Italian patients with lichen planus, with subjective assessment of pain and assessment of ulceration amelioration by nonblinded clinicians.

RESULTS

Comparable pain relief and amelioration of erosions/ulcers were seen in patients on sulodexide and in those on ciclosporin, but with faster healing in those on sulodexide.

CONCLUSIONS

Sulodexide appears to be as effective, and perhaps more effective, than topical ciclosporin in the therapy of oral lichen planus, and is less expensive, but full double-blind placebo-controlled studies are required.