Clinical evaluation of benzydamine, chlorhexidine, and placebo mouthwashes in the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

“…Chlorhexidine is generally used as a 0.2% w/w mouthrinse, but the 0.10% w/w mouthwash or I% gel can also be beneficial (Addy et al, 1974(Addy et al, , 1976Addy, 1977;Hunter and Addy, 1987). However, one recent study found little objective value of chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse over a placebo in the management of RAS (Matthews et al, 1987). In addition, chlorhexidine gluconate must be used almost daily for long periods and may cause exogenous dental staining.…”

“…In addition, chlorhexidine gluconate must be used almost daily for long periods and may cause exogenous dental staining. Benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash is of no more benefit than a placebo (Matthews et al, 1987). Nevertheless, benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash (or lignocaine gel) can produce transient relief of pain in severe RAS.…”

Efficacy of topical benzydamine hydrochloride gel on oral mucosal ulcers: an in vivo animal study

“…At the end of the 12-day test period, the mean ulcer area of the Bnz HCl group was 31% smaller than that of the base and 33% smaller than that of the control groups. A similar patient study revealed no differences between Bnz HCl, chlorhexidine and placebo mouthwashes in the treatment of aphthous ulcers 14 , even though clinical benefits with benzydamine application have been previously reported 7,9,17,21 .…”

Pharmacology of benzydamine

“…It appears that this analgesic activity is independent of its anti-inflammatory action as both patients with solid tumours and those with haematological malignancies who are unable to elicit a significant inflammatory response benefited [27]. Benzydamine is, however, ineffective in relieving pain following tonsillectomy [28] and has little impact on recurrent aphthous stomatitis, although it produced transient pain relief attributed to a local anaesthetic action [29].…”