Croconazole hydrochloride (1%) cream is a new
antifungal agent for the treatment of
dermatomycoses. In vitro,
croconazole has a broad spectrum of activity against dermatophytes, moulds, yeasts, dimorphic fungi and some skin-relevant bacteria. Therapeutic results obtained in 277 patients (mean age 43.0 +/- 14.8 years; 158 male and 119 female) who had
mycoses at various locations and were treated with 1%
croconazole cream are reported. The types of
fungal infection in these patients were:
pityriasis versicolor (94),
candidiasis (43) and
trichophytosis (140). One topical application per day was administered for a period of up to three weeks. Clinical improvement and mycology were assessed at one-week intervals, and after a two-week treatment-free follow-up. In all three
infection groups the criteria of mycosis, particularly fungal microscopy findings and
itching, showed rapid improvement. At the end of the observation period, clinical and mycological cure was observed in the majority of patients. The physicians' global efficacy rating of the medication was "good" or "very good" in 92.6% of the cases with
pityriasis versicolor, 97.7% of the patients with
candidiasis and 82.9% of the
trichophytosis patients. The medication was well tolerated: only one patient reported an adverse reaction (
pruritus) at the site of application. It is concluded that
croconazole cream is effective and well tolerated in
dermatomycoses. The once-a-day use of
croconazole cream may be a positive factor in patient compliance.