Add-on administration of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide in the treatment of new-onset burning mouth syndrome

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of this study was to treat burning mouth syndrome (BMS) with a combination of painful gabapentin and ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (umPEA), in an attempt to improve the severe symptomatology of BMS.

Methods

We examined the case of a 60-year-old male, suffering from late-onset burning mouth syndrome. He found that gabapentin had a poor control of symptoms, thus we added umPEA, after administering a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), showing a score of 8–9. The patient also underwent laboratory examinations, neuroimaging exams such as brain CT/MRI and others, which all showed normal results.

Results

The result of combined therapy was satisfactory. After 3 months, the frequency and intensity of the pain had improved considerably, as demonstrated clinically and by VAS, with a score of 5.

Conclusion

BMS is an oral pain-burning syndrome scarcely responsive to therapy. The most widely used medications are GABA-like substances, antidepressants, topiramate. In this case, we used PEA, which proved effective in the treatment of BMS, as well as in neuropathies and migraines.

Keywords:

• burning mouth syndrome
• ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide
• gabapentin

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.