Efficacy of itraconazole in the prophylactic treatment of pityriasis (tinea) versicolor.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor has a high tendency to recur after being treated successfully. Prophylactic treatment to reduce recurrence is needed.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether recurrence of pityriasis versicolor could be prevented by prophylactic itraconazole treatment.

DESIGN:

Open treatment followed by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase.

SETTING:

Multinational outpatient centers.

PATIENTS:

A total of 239 consecutive patients were included; 238 started open treatment. A total of 209 patients started prophylactic treatment: 106 in the itraconazole group and 103 in the placebo group.

INTERVENTIONS:

Open treatment: itraconazole, 200 mg once daily for 7 days. Prophylactic treatment: itraconazole, 200 mg, or placebo twice daily 1 day per month for 6 consecutive months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Mycological cure rates at the end of open treatment and at the end of prophylactic treatment.

RESULTS:

Mycological cure at the end of open treatment was 92% (205/223). At the prophylactic treatment end point (6 months), mycological cure was 88% (90/102) in the itraconazole group and 57% (56/99) in the placebo group (P<.001). In open treatment, 11 patients were not able to be evaluated for efficacy. In prophylactic treatment, 4 patients in the itraconazole group and 4 in the placebo group were not able to be evaluated. Adverse events were reported during open treatment by 26 patients (11%) and during prophylactic treatment by 17 (16%) in the itraconazole group and 14 (14%) in the placebo group. No patients experienced any serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

Prophylactic itraconazole treatment is efficacious for pityriasis versicolor after 6 months, as is itraconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

• Authors: Jan Faergemann, A K Gupta, A Al Mofadi, A Abanami, A Abu Shareaah, Greet Marynissen
• Journal: Archives of dermatology (Arch Dermatol) Vol. 138 Issue 1 Pg. 69-73 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11790169 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Itraconazole

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Itraconazole (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Tinea Versicolor (drug therapy, pathology)
• Treatment Outcome