Dapsone in the Treatment of Resistant Oral Erosive Lichen Planus: A Clinical Study

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Dapsone for treating erosive lichen planus and to observe side effects occurring for the drug during the treatment. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who were resistant to treatment with systemic antioxidants and topical vitamin were treated with systemic Dapsone 100 mg per day for 3 months. Improvement of signs and symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the drug were evaluated every 15 days and posttreatment recurrence of the disease was assessed after 6 months of treatment. Results: A significant improvement in the burning sensation and reduction in size of the erosive areas were noticed with a 3 months course of Dapsone therapy. Systemic side effects were minimal. A reduction in hemoglobin percentage of 0.92 gm from the baseline values was the only observed side effect. Conclusion: Results of this study show that Dapsone is an effective drug in erosive lichen planus. Dapsone can be used as a steroid sparing agent when steroids are contraindicated. There are minimal side effects for Dapsone when used in the dose of 100 mg per day for 3 months.