Efficacy of Dapsone in Lichen Planus

Oral dapsone 200 mg daily for 16 weeks was tried on 52 adult patients, of whom 33 patients (males 17, femals 16) completed the study. No other topical or systemic medication was permitted. All the patients tolerated the drug very well. In 22 (66.5%) patients there was complete healing with hyperpigmentaiion after 16 weeks of therapy. In 7 (21.5%) patients partial respone was seen. There were 4 (12%) treatment failures. In patients with hiucosal lesions, the response started early and was seen more often (80.0%) No relapse was seen in any of the patients followed-up for a preiod of one year.