A double-blind trial of systemic zinc sulfate in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

A double-blind crossover study of the effects of systemic zinc sulfate was carried out on twenty-five patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. No therapeutic effect was seen with the use of systemic zinc over a 3-month period. This study fails to confirm the beneficial effects of zinc seen in previously reported studies. Four patients had to discontinue the zinc therapy because of side effects. The empirical use of systemic zinc sulfate supplementation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis is not recommended.