A double blind study of itraconazole vs griseofulvin in patients with tinea pedis and tinea manus.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of itraconazole and griseofulvin in a double-blind parallel study of 20 patients with microscopically and/or culturally proven tinea pedis and/or tinea manus.

METHODS

A 4 week study was undertaken with patients randomised to receive either itraconazole 100 mg or griseofulvin 500 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Microscopy and cultures were performed prior to and at the end of the treatment and 2 weeks posttreatment.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks therapy, 50% of itraconazole-treated patients and 30% of griseofulvin-treated patients had negative microscopy; 70% and 50% of these patients, respectively, had negative microscopy at follow up 2 weeks later. A combined score of all clinical assessments showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference at the follow up visit in favour of itraconazole. There was no statistically significant difference with regard to haematological or biochemical measurements, or in urinalysis results, either within or between treatment groups. Six patients reported mild adverse effects (itraconazole = 5, griseofulvin = 1), none of which warranted treatment withdrawal.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that itraconazole is more effective than griseofulvin in the symptomatic treatment of tinea pedis and/or manus.