To estimate the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus with Colgate Oraguard-B paste for the treatment of patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus with Colgate Oraguard-B paste for the treatment of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty patients with symptomatic OLP participated in the study, who had clinically and histopathologically proven OLP. In this study, patients were provided with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment with Colgate Oraguard-B paste as the study medication. Patients were asked to use the medication over the areas three times a day until resolution of the lesion. Patients were recalled to assess the drug response every 15 days. The duration of treatment ranged from 3 months to 4 months, with follow-up of 2 years and 6 months.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed, which is a nonparametric statistical hypothesis test for comparing two related samples, matched samples or repeated measurements on a single sample to assess whether their population mean ranks differ (i.e., it is a paired difference test). In our study, the pre- and post-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values were compared and the mean, standard deviation and P values were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 150 patients, 71 (47.33%) patients had complete resolution of the lesion to the topical tacrolimus therapy. Sixty-five (43.33%) patients had marked resolution of their lesions, i.e., the size of the lesion was decreased. Fourteen (9.33%) patients had remission of lesion (reduction in burning sensation and size of lesion) in symptoms as recorded by the VAS.

CONCLUSION

Topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in Oraguard-B paste is an effective treatment for different types of OLP.