The Effect of Citalopram and Colonazpam on Burning Mouth Syndrome

Statement of problem:

 Psychosocial factors are thought to play a role in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and several therapeutic approaches for BMS are based on this consideration.

This paper evaluated the efficacy of the combined systemic administration of citalopram and clonazepam, as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, in the management of burning mouth syndrome and reduction of the burning sensation.

In this cross-sectional study, 80 subjects suffering from idiopathic burning mouth syndrome were enrolled. The patients underwent a thorough clinical examination. Oral symptoms before and after treatment were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale. The mean duration of burning in our patients was 7 months. Systemic combination of citalopram (20 mg/daily) and clonazpam (0.25 mg/daily) was prescribed for all of them for 8 weeks. Then, the data were analysed, using Student’s t-test.

Of the 62 patients who completed the protocol, 38 reported complete remission of the oral burning sensation. However, 20 patients reported a little improvement, and four of them reported no improvement.

These data suggest that citaloperam with colonazpam is effective in patients with BMS