Efficacy of oral low-dose tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) in lichen planus.

Abstract

Retinoids were shown to be effective in the treatment of both oral and cutaneous forms of lichen planus. Confirm the beneficial effect of low doses of oral tretinoin in lichen planus. Eighteen patients with lichen planus were treated in an open study for up to 19 months. Efficacy and safety data were recorded. Complete remission was observed in 13 (72%) and marked improvement in 4 (22%) out of 18 patients. Six patients showed moderate and 12 had no side effects. Tretinoin is a valuable drug when given at low doses to patients with lichen planus who failed to respond to other therapies.