From the Guidelines
Topical creams safe for ingestion and used in the treatment of oral ulcers include amlexanox 5% oral paste and clobetasol gel or ointment (0.05%). These creams can be used to treat oral ulcers, particularly those caused by targeted cancer therapies 1.
- Amlexanox 5% oral paste is a topical NSAID that can be considered to treat moderate pain from stomatitis, as suggested by expert opinion 1.
- Clobetasol gel or ointment (0.05%) is a topical high potency corticosteroid that can be used to treat ulcers, especially in cases of limited locations and easy to approach ulcerations 1. It is essential to note that these creams should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and the treatment plan should be individualized based on the patient's specific needs and medical history. Additionally, other treatments such as coating agents, topical anesthetics, and alternative mouthwashes may be considered to treat stomatitis, as suggested by expert opinion 1.
From the Research
Topical Creams for Oral Ulcers
The following topical creams have been studied for their efficacy in treating oral ulcers:
- 0.1% Triamcinolone Acetonide: proven to be effective in reducing size, number, pain, erythema, and exudate levels of oral ulcers 2, 3
- 5% Amlexanox: shown to be effective in reducing size, number, pain, erythema, and exudate levels of oral ulcers 2
- 1% Lidocaine: found to be effective in reducing pain associated with oral mucosal trauma or minor oral aphthous ulcer 4
- Topical Curcumin: shown to be effective in reducing pain, size, and healing period of oral ulcers, and can be safely recommended for long-term use 3
- Pimecrolimus 1% cream: found to be effective in treating symptomatic oral lichen planus, with a better therapeutic response compared to triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% oral paste 5
Safety for Ingestion
While the studies do not explicitly state that these creams are safe for ingestion, they do mention that:
- 1% Lidocaine cream was found to be safe to use, with no adverse drug reactions reported 4
- Topical Curcumin was found to be well-tolerated and can be safely recommended for long-term use 3
- Triamcinolone Acetonide was found to be effective and safe for use in oral ulcers, with no adverse effects reported 2, 3, 6
Treatment of Oral Ulcers
The studies suggest that the following topical creams can be used to treat oral ulcers:
- 0.1% Triamcinolone Acetonide: can be used to reduce size, number, pain, erythema, and exudate levels of oral ulcers 2, 3
- 5% Amlexanox: can be used to reduce size, number, pain, erythema, and exudate levels of oral ulcers 2
- 1% Lidocaine: can be used to reduce pain associated with oral mucosal trauma or minor oral aphthous ulcer 4
- Topical Curcumin: can be used to reduce pain, size, and healing period of oral ulcers 3