Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology (Jan 2004)
Need for a Vehicle in Topical Oral Medications
Abstract
The Oral mucous membrane reacts to various forms of noxious stimuli and unknown etiological agents, manifesting distinct clinical forms on it′s surface. Among the galaxy of diseases afflicting the oral mucosa and manifestating themselves in different forms, Lichen Planus (LP) and Recurrent Apthous (RAU) constitute two of the most commonly encountered debilitating vesiculo-erosive-ulcerative lesions. The topical application of glucocorticoids is promoted in stomatological practise because it produces a high level of benefit with a minimal level of side effects when used cautiously. However, attempts at the treatment of these lesions with these potent medications have frequently been hampered or delayed to the point of relative ineffectiveness due to the difficulty in maintaining these medications at the site of application for appreciable duration of time and quantity in oral cavity, mandatory for their optimum efficacy. This limitation has been sought to be overcome by combining a passive adhesive vehicle with the parent drug.