A randomized double-blind comparative study of terbinafine for 1, 2 and 4 weeks in tinea capitis.

Abstract

We report a randomized, double-blind study, comparing the relative efficacy and tolerability of oral terbinafine, given for 1, 2 or 4 weeks, in tinea capitis. Of 161 evaluable patients, 53 were treated with terbinafine for 1 week, 51 for 2 weeks and 57 for 4 weeks. Isolated pathogens included Trichophyton violaceum (71.5%), T. tonsurans (14.9%), T. verrucosum (4.3%), Microsporum audouinii (4.3%), M. canis (2.5%), T. schoenleinii (1.9%) and T. mentagrophytes (0.6%). The final evaluation, at 12 weeks, showed cure rates of 73.6, 80.4 and 85.9%, in the respective groups. The adverse effects noted, were not drug related. In our opinion, terbinafine given for 1, 2 or 4 weeks, is equally effective for most cases of tinea capitis.

• Authors: T S Haroon, I Hussain, S Aman, M Jahangir, A H Kazmi, A R Sami, A H Nagi, K H Alvi, N Iqbal, K A Khan, R Aziz
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 135 Issue 1 Pg. 86-8 (Jul 1996) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
• PMID: 8776365 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Naphthalenes
• Terbinafine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antifungal Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Fungi (isolation & purification)
• Humans
• Male
• Naphthalenes (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Terbinafine
• Tinea Capitis (drug therapy, microbiology)
• Treatment Outcome