USE OF GRISEOFULVIN

To the Editor.— Griseofulvin, an antifungal antibiotic, is being extensively used for the treatment of superficial dermatomycosis. 1 Recently its usefulness, in conditions other than superficial dermatomycosis such as shoulder-hand syndrome, 2 angina pectoris, 3 psoriasis, 4 erythema chronicum migrans, 5 and scleroderma, 6 has been shown. The griseofulvin is being used by us in variants of lichen planus, the preliminary observations of which are highlighted in the present communication. A total of ten patients (five males and five females) were selected for the trial from the dermatologic outpatients of this institution. Their ages ranged from 15 to 60 years. The diagnosis of lichen planus was made on the basis of results from clinical examination and was substantiated by histopathological features in each case. All the patients were given 500 mg of griseofulvin (fine particle) daily in divided dosage. The duration of the treatment was variable, ie, from two weeks