Pain-relieving effects of clonazepam and amitriptyline in burning mouth syndrome: a retrospective study

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): M. Fenelon, E. Quinque, E. Arrive, S. Catros, J.C. Fricain
This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clonazepam and amitriptyline in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). A single-centre retrospective cohort study was performed among patients diagnosed with BMS. Either clonazepam or amitriptyline was administered. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain using a 10-point verbal numerical scale (VNS) at baseline, and at 6 weeks and 3 months of treatment. Mean pain-relief values were assessed according to the treatment received using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Thirty-nine patients (85% female) were included. The mean age was 65±10.5years. The mean VNS score at baseline was 7.1±2.0 in patients treated with clonazepam and 7.5±1.1 in those treated with amitriptyline. The mean VNS scores in the clonazepam and amitriptyline groups were 4.9±2.4 and 6.1±2.6, respectively, after 6 weeks of treatment (P=0.498) and 4.4±2.0 and 4.1±2.7, respectively, after 3 months (P=0.509). There was no difference between the two treatments in terms of pain reduction. Clonazepam as well as amitriptyline may be an effective treatment for BMS.



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