COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ORAL ITRACONAZOLE VERSUS FLUCONAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL DERMATOPHYTOSIS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Dermatophytosis Severity Score (DSS), Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Efficacy, Safety, Antifungal Therapy
Abstract
Background:
With increasing resistance to antifungals in India, evaluating the effectiveness of current treatments is crucial. This study compared the efficacy and safety of oral itraconazole and fluconazole in superficial dermatophytosis, a common fungal skin infection.
Materials and Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted with 200 newly diagnosed dermatophytosis patients. Group I (100 patients) received itraconazole 200 mg daily, and Group II (100 patients) received fluconazole 150 mg every alternate day, both for 4 weeks. Baseline parameters were measured. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 2 and 4 weeks. Clinical improvement assessed via the Dermatophytosis Severity Score (DSS) and percentage improvement of erythema, pruritus, scaling, and raised borders, were measured. Safety was evaluated by adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Results:
Group I showed significantly better results compared to Group II. By the 2nd follow-up, 84% of patients in Group I achieved complete clinical cure, compared to 62% in Group II (p = 0.008). Group I also showed greater improvement in erythema (78% vs. 64%, p = 0.012), raised borders (72% vs. 51%, p = 0.001), and scaling (74% vs. 63%, p = 0.001). Pruritus resolved in 79% of Group I versus 65% in Group II (p = 0.032). Both treatments were well-tolerated, with minimal ADRs.
Conclusion:
Itraconazole proved to be more effective and faster than fluconazole in treating dermatophytosis. Both drugs were safe, but itraconazole is recommended for faster and more comprehensive resolution of symptoms.
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Amruthadevi T S
Department of Pharmacology and Dermatology, Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Ritesh churihar
Department of Pharmacology and Dermatology, Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Nitin pandya
Department of Pharmacology and Dermatology, Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh