Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology

BACKGROUND: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme, the trometamol salt of thioctic acid that has been shown in clini cal studies to be neuroprotective. This study examined the effect of ALA on the symptomatology of Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with EMS and no clinical or labora tory evidence of organic oral disease were divided into two groups (Test an d Control) each of 21 subjects, matched for age and sex, The Test group wer e given ALA (thioctic acid; Tiobec) for 30 days, as 600 mg per day orally f or 20 days followed by 200 mg per day for 10 days. The Control group were g iven cellulose starch 100 mg per day as placebo for 30 days. All EMS patien ts were reviewed at 10- day intervals and scored for changes in symptomatol ogy. RESULTS: Significant improvements were shown in the symptomatology of EMS i n up to two-thirds of patients with EMS receiving alpha-lipoic acid, in abo ut 15% of those using placebo and also in up to two-thirds of those who, ha ving tried placebo, were switched to ALA.