The efficacy of a topical application of terbinafine 1% solution in subjects with pityriasis versicolor: a placebo-controlled study.

A prospective randomised placebo-controlled double-blind study was designed to investigate whether topical terbinafine 1% solution is an effective treatment for subjects with pityriasis versicolor. The intention-to-treat population consisted of 110 subjects. The number of subjects who received terbinafine 1% solution was 76 and the number who received placebo was 34; treatments were given twice a day for 1 week. The primary efficacy variables were categorised at weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8. Eight weeks after the start of therapy, 81% of the subjects using terbinafine solution and 41% of those receiving placebo had a negative mycological examination (p < 0.001). A clinical effect of treatment was recorded in 72% of the subjects using terbinafine 1% solution and 26% of those receiving placebo (p < 0.001). We conclude that terbinafine 1% solution is an effective and safe local treatment modality for pityriasis versicolor.