Fluconazole in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris.

BACKGROUND

Results of topical dermatomycosis treatment are often unsatisfactory, particularly in patients with extended or multiple infection sites.

OBJECTIVE

Given the high fluconazole concentrations attainable in the stratum corneum and the long elimination half-life of fluconazole, we investigated whether efficacy is satisfactory when using fluconazole at once weekly doses of 150 mg.

METHODS

In an open, noncomparative study, tinea corporis and cruris patients were treated with once weekly fluconazole 150 mg over 2-4 weeks. Clinical (pruritus, erythema, scaling, burning/pain, vesiculation) and mycologic (culture and microscopy) assessments were performed before treatment, at weekly intervals until the end of treatment and 3 weeks after treatment. All adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

The total severity scores of clinical symptoms were reduced from 7.1 before to 1.5 after treatment (p = 0.001, n = 100 patients). Seven patients experienced adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluconazole 150 mg once weekly for 2-4 weeks is an efficacious and safe regimen in the treatment of tinea corporis and cruris.