Topical 5-aminosalicylic acid: a treatment for aphthous ulcers

Abstract

A double-blind placebo controlled trial of 5% 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) cream for the treatment of oral aphthous ulcers was carried out on 22 subjects. The cream or a placebo (11 patients each) was applied to the ulcers three times daily for up to 14 days. Daily discomfort was reduced by half (P less than 0.01) and less pain (P less than 0.05) was experienced by the treated group. Treatment with 5-ASA shortened healing time (7 vs. 11 days, P less than 0.01) and reduced the difficulty in eating (P less than 0.05). No significant side-effects were reported. We believe 5-ASA cream to be an effective treatment for aphthous ulcers.

Behçet's disease: A comprehensive review with a focus on epidemiology, etiology and clinical features, and management of mucocutaneous lesions

“…The treatment is mainly based on the suppression of inflammatory attacks of the disease using immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents. Based on the mainly controlled studies and personal experience in clinical practice and basic research in this field, a stepwise, Amlexanox versus placebo Decrease in the pain severity and healing duration [78][79][80] 5-aminosalicylic acid versus placebo Decreases the healing duration 81 Tetracycline versus placebo Reductions in ulcer duration, size and pain 72,73 Triclosan versus placebo Reduces the number of aphthous ulcers 74 Camel thorn distillate versus placebo Reductions in ulcer size and the pain severity …”

Number VI Recurrent aphthous stomatitis

“…Topical non‐corticosteroid based immunomodulatory agents which have been suggested to be of some benefit in the management of RAS include azelastine (Ueta et al , 1994), human alpha‐2‐interferon in cream (Hamuryudan et al , 1990, 1991), topical ciclosporin (Eisen and Ellis, 1990), deglycirrhizinated liquorice (Das et al , 1989), topical 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA; (Collier et al , 1992), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel (Taylor et al , 1993) and topical granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (at least in HIV disease) (Herranz et al , 2000). However, few of these agents have been subjected to detailed clinical evaluation.…”

Mucocutaneous Lesions of Behçet's Disease

“…- topical aminosalicylic acid (5% cream) 3x/d (has been shown to reduce the duration of aphthous lesions and the pain intensity68). …”