Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral pain syndrome that primarily 
affects peri- and postmenopausal women. It is characterized by oral mucosal 
burning and may be associated with dysgeusia, paresthesia, dysesthesia, and 
xerostomia. The etiology of the disease process is unknown, but is thought to be 
neuropathic in origin. The goal of this systematic review was to assess the 
efficacy of the various treatments for BMS. Literature searches were conducted 
through PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, which identified 
22 randomized controlled trials. Eight studies examined alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), 
three clonazepam, three psychotherapy, and two capsaicin, which all showed 
modest evidence of potentially decreasing pain/burning. Gabapentin was seen in 
one study to work alone and synergistically with ALA. Other treatments included 
vitamins, benzydamine hydrochloride, bupivacaine, Catuama, olive oil, trazodone, 
urea, and Hypericum perforatum. Of these other treatments, Catuama and 
bupivacaine were the only ones with significant positive results in symptom 
improvement. ALA, topical clonazepam, gabapentin, and psychotherapy may provide 
modest relief of pain in BMS. Gabapentin may also boost the effect of ALA. 
Capsaicin is limited by its side effects. Catuama showed potential for benefit. 
Future studies with standardized methodology and outcomes containing more 
patients are needed.