Premium
A double‐blind study on clonazepam in patients with burning mouth syndrome
Author(s) -
Heckmann Siegfried M.,
Kirchner Elena,
Grushka Miriam,
Wichmann Manfred G.,
Hummel Thomas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.22490
Subject(s) - clonazepam , burning mouth syndrome , placebo , medicine , anesthesia , placebo group , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , depression (economics) , orofacial pain , physical therapy , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives/Hypothesis: In the treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS), various approaches have been tried with equivocal results. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of clonazepam, a GABA agonist designed as an antiepileptic drug that exerts the typical effects of benzodiazepines. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Twenty patients with idiopathic BMS were carefully selected. Clonazepam (0.5 mg/day, n = 10) or placebo (lactose, n = 10) were randomly assigned to the patients. Results: Patients on clonazepam significantly improved in pain ratings ( P < .001). These changes were less pronounced in the placebo group ( P < .11). No significant changes were observed in a mood scale ( P = .56) or for depression scores ( P = .56). Taste test and salivary flow increased over sessions, but were not different between groups ( P = .83 and P = .06, respectively). Conclusions: Clonazepam appears to have a positive effect on pain in BMS patients. Laryngoscope, 2012