Comparative study of topical terbinafine and topical ketoconazole in pityriasis versicolor.

Fifty patients suffering from pityriasis versicolor were treated with either 2% ketoconazole cream (25 patients) or 1% terbinafine cream (25 patients). Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination and either of the cream was applied once daily for a duration of 2 weeks. Global assessment was done at the end of treatment with mycological and clinical cure rate of 88% and 96% in ketoconazole and terbinafine treated groups respectively. After a follow up of 3 months the relapse in ketoconazole group was 13.53% and 8.33% in terbinafine group with no side effects.