{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "kind": "condition",
  "id": "lichen-planus",
  "name": "Lichen planus (cutaneous)",
  "category": "chronic",
  "sources": "BAD Guidelines for Lichen Planus · Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939) · Prednisolone 5mg tablets SmPC (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4921/smpc) · Lichen Planus - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (NBK526126)",
  "review_status": "reviewed",
  "verified_against": "Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939) · Prednisolone 5mg tablets SmPC (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4921/smpc) · Lichen Planus - disease-level clinical article (lichen-planus-clinical.txt)",
  "verified_date": "2026-08",
  "treatments": [
    {
      "id": 1074,
      "generic": "Clobetasol propionate",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": "topical",
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": "Apply 0.05% ointment thin layer twice daily to pruritic violaceous papules",
      "adult_duration": "2-4 weeks",
      "dose_source": "Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) Cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 939)",
      "rationale": "Superpotent topical corticosteroid that suppresses the immune-mediated inflammation driving the pruritic, violaceous papules of cutaneous lichen planus.",
      "cautions": [
        "Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent topical corticosteroid; do not use continuously for >4 weeks without medical review.",
        "Avoid face, axillae, and groin.",
        "Screen for hepatitis C virus infection in patients with extensive lichen planus.",
        "Ceilings the label sets: no more than 50 g in a week, no longer than 4 weeks, courses kept to about five days where possible and reviewed weekly. If it is still needed after that, step down to a weaker steroid and keep an emollient going. Clobetasol is the most potent class - atrophy and adrenal suppression are the price of open-ended use."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Child: use moderate-potency topical steroid (e.g. clobetasone butyrate 0.05%) under specialist supervision",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "CLOBITAT 0.05% TOPICAL CREAM 15 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "BIORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP PHARMA EGYPT",
          "price_egp": 5.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 15000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DERMASOL 0.05% CREAM 20 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "UP PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 5.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 20000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DERMASOL 0.05% OINT. 20 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "UP PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 5.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 20000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "CLEROVATE 0.05% TOPICAL OINT. 25 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MARCYRL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (MPI)",
          "price_egp": 7.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 25000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "CLOVACORT 0.05% OINT. 20 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EUROPEAN EGYPTIAN PHARM. IND.",
          "price_egp": 9.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 20000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DERMOPHARM 0.05% CREAM 25 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "WESTERN PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRIES",
          "price_egp": 22.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 25000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DERMOVATE 0.05% TOP. CREAM 25 GM",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "GLAXO SMITHKLINE",
          "price_egp": 44.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 25000.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "HEROBETASOL 120 MLSHAMPOO",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EGPI > HEROPHARM",
          "price_egp": 37.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": null,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "lichen-planus"
    },
    {
      "id": 1076,
      "generic": "Referral & safety-netting (no drug therapy)",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": null,
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": null,
      "adult_duration": null,
      "dose_source": "Lichen Planus - disease-level clinical article (lichen-planus-clinical.txt)",
      "rationale": "Carries the referral criteria and warning signs for this condition, which apply whichever treatment is chosen.",
      "cautions": [
        "RED FLAG - There is a risk of malignant transformation of oral mucosal lesions into oral squamous cell carcinoma."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": null,
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [],
      "condition_id": "lichen-planus"
    },
    {
      "id": 1075,
      "generic": "Prednisolone",
      "line": 2,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": "oral.solid",
      "strength_mg": 5.0,
      "adult_dose": "30-40 mg once daily for 1-2 weeks, then taper over 3-4 weeks for severe or widespread involvement",
      "adult_duration": "4-6 weeks (tapering course)",
      "dose_source": "Prednisolone 5mg tablets SmPC (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4921/smpc)",
      "rationale": "Reserved for severe, widespread, or disabling lichen planus unresponsive to topical steroids",
      "cautions": [
        "Short-term systemic corticosteroid side effects include mood swings, insomnia, elevated blood glucose, and hypertension.",
        "Do not stop abruptly after >2 weeks of continuous therapy."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Specialist pediatric dermatology consultation mandatory",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "HOSTACORTIN H 5MG 30 TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SANOFI",
          "price_egp": 12.0,
          "pack_count": 30,
          "unit_price": 0.4,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNISOLONE 5 MG 20 TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)",
          "price_egp": 24.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.2,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDILONE 5MG 10 TAB. (25 STRIPS PACK)",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "KAHIRA",
          "price_egp": 250.0,
          "pack_count": 10,
          "unit_price": 25.0,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "EPICOPRED 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EIPICO",
          "price_egp": 69.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNISOLONE-EVA 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EVA PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 79.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DISPRELONE-OD 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSABLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "ANDALOUS PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 84.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "SOLUPRED ORO 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SANOFI WINTHROP > SANOFI",
          "price_egp": 84.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "ACETASEE 1% EYE DROPS (SUSP.) 5 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "RAMEDA",
          "price_egp": 7.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": null,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNIS 5MG/5ML SYRUP 100 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "PHAROPHARMA",
          "price_egp": 9.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "lichen-planus"
    },
    {
      "id": 1077,
      "generic": "Metronidazole",
      "line": 2,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": "oral.solid",
      "strength_mg": 500.0,
      "adult_dose": "500 mg twice a day",
      "adult_duration": "3 to 8 weeks",
      "dose_source": "Lichen Planus - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (NBK526126)",
      "rationale": "It gives the card something between a failed topical steroid and a course of oral prednisolone. The drug is cheap, needs no blood monitoring, and every Egyptian pharmacy has it. The evidence behind it is small, so offer it as an option to try rather than the expected next step.",
      "cautions": [
        "Tell the patient plainly not to drink any alcohol during the course or for a few days after it, because the combination causes violent flushing and vomiting.",
        "This is a long course for metronidazole - stop it at once if the patient reports numbness or pins and needles in the hands or feet, which can signal nerve damage.",
        "Avoid it in the first trimester of pregnancy.",
        "The evidence for metronidazole in lichen planus is limited, so review at the earlier end of the range and stop if nothing has changed."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "No paediatric dose for this indication in the sources opened.",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "DUMOZOL 500MG 20 F.C. TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MINA PHARM > ALPHARMA-DENMARK",
          "price_egp": 7.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 0.35,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "ZOLGUARD 500MG 20 TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "UNIPHARMA CO. > UNIPHARMA",
          "price_egp": 9.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 0.45,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "NITROFECTAZOLE 500 MG 20 F.C. TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "GYPTO PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 10.5,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 0.53,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "FLAGICURE FORTE 500 MG 20 F.C. TAB",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "KAHIRA",
          "price_egp": 23.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.15,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "TRICHOGYL 500MG 12 F.C.TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EL NASR",
          "price_egp": 15.0,
          "pack_count": 12,
          "unit_price": 1.25,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "FLAGELLAT FORTE 500MG 20 F.C.TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MUP",
          "price_egp": 30.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.5,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "GEDAZOLE 500MG 20 TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "JEDCO INT. CO. FOR PHARMACEUTICALS",
          "price_egp": 34.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.7,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "METROGYPTON 500 MG 20 F.C. TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "GYPTO PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 34.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.7,
          "strength_mg": 500.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DUMOZOL 125MG/5ML SUSP. 125ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MINA PHARM > ALPHARMA-DENMARK",
          "price_egp": 5.75,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 125.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "METROZOLE 125MG/5ML SUSP. 120 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MEMPHIS",
          "price_egp": 19.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 125.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "lichen-planus"
    },
    {
      "id": 1078,
      "generic": "Triamcinolone acetonide",
      "line": 2,
      "is_adjunct": true,
      "form": "injection",
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": "Injected into the lesion at a strength of 5 to 10 mg/mL",
      "adult_duration": null,
      "dose_source": "Lichen Planus - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (NBK526126)",
      "rationale": "For the patient with a handful of thick, itchy plaques that clobetasol has not flattened, injecting the steroid straight into them treats the lesion without exposing the whole body to a course of oral steroid. It is done in the clinic in a few minutes.",
      "cautions": [
        "The ampoule sold in Egypt is far more concentrated than the strength quoted here and must be diluted with saline or local anaesthetic before it is injected into skin.",
        "Injecting too much, too often, or too superficially thins the skin and leaves a pale dented scar that may be permanent - keep to a few resistant plaques.",
        "Do not inject into skin that looks infected.",
        "This treats individual lesions; it does nothing for widespread disease, which needs the oral route or referral."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "No paediatric dose in the sources opened.",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "PHARCOCINOLONE 40MG/ML I.M AMP.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "CHEMIPHARM > PHARCO B",
          "price_egp": 8.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 40.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "AMCINOL 40MG/ML I.M AMP.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SIGMA TEC",
          "price_egp": 11.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 40.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "EPIRELEFAN 40MG/ML I.M AMP.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EIPICO",
          "price_egp": 38.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 40.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "SYNTHECORTIN 40MG/ML I.M AMP.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MUP",
          "price_egp": 54.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 40.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "lichen-planus"
    }
  ]
}