title: Itraconazole in the treatment of tinea capitis.
abstract: Fifty patients with tinea capitis were treated with itraconazole, 25 to 100 mg/day, for 20 to 73 days in six countries. Forty-seven patients (94%) responded clinically (healed or markedly improved) to therapy, of which 38 patients (76%) completely healed and 9 patients (18%) markedly improved. Three patients (6%) failed therapy. Forty-two patients were assessable for mycologic examination; 38 patients (93%) converted mycologically to negative and 4 patients (7%) remained positive for organisms. In one group of 20 patients treated for 30 days, 6 patients were clinically and mycologically healed. By the 2-week follow-up visit 9 additional patients were healed, and 4 weeks after treatment all 20 patients were both clinically and mycologically healed. The primary organisms reported were Microsporum canis and Trichophyton tonsurans. Only one patient reported a possible side effect (tired legs). Laboratory values were all within normal limits, except for one patient who had a transient and slight increase in serum transaminase level. Low-dose itraconazole appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of tinea capitis.
authors.affiliation: Janssen Research Foundation, Piscataway, NJ 08855-3998.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Legendre
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esola-Macre
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole