COMPARISON OF ORAL ITRACONAZOLE VERSUS TOPICAL CLOTRIMAZOLE IN TREATMENT OF PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR

Treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of single dose of oral itraconazole 400mg with 1% topical clotrimazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology department, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jun 2015 to Dec 2015.
Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients of pityriasis versicolor fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected from dermatology OPD after written informed consent and approval from the hospital ethical committee. Patients were divided into two treatment groups using random numbers table. Group A received single dose of itraconazole capsule (400mg) and group B received 1% clotrimazole cream twice daily application for 2 weeks. Patient evaluation included detailed history, clinical examination and direct microscopy of skin scrapings for fungal hyphae at the baseline, at the end of 2nd and 6th week of treatment. Efficacy of treatment was assessed on the basis of clinical and mycological cure.
Results: At the end of 2 weeks of treatment, clinical cure was seen in 23 (76.6%) and 29 (96.6%) patients (p=0.05) and mycological cure in 20 (66%) and 26 (86.6%) patients in group A and B respectively (p=0.06). At follow up (end of 6 week) 21 (70%) and 28 (93.3%) patients were cured clinically (p=0.02) while 18 (60%) and 27 (90%) patients were cured mycologically (p=0.007) in group A and B respectively.
Conclusion: Topical clotrimazole (1%) was found more effective than single dose of oral itraconazole in the
treatment of pityriasis versicolor.