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

Background: Retinoids were shown to be effective in the treatment of both oral and cutaneous forms of lichen planus.
Objective: Confirm the beneficial effect of low doses of oral tretinoin in lichen planus.
Methods: Eighteen patients with lichen planus were treated in an open study for up to 19 months. Efficacy and safety data were recorded.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: Tretinoin is a valuable drug when given at low doses to patients with lichen planus who failed to respond to other therapies.