title: Itraconazole in the treatment of dermatophytoses: a comparison of two daily dosages.
abstract: Itraconazole, the first orally active triazole antifungal agent, was tested in 185 cases of acute or chronic (recurrent) dermatophytosis. The skin infections were divided into two major diagnostic groups: tinea corporis/tinea cruris (91 cases) and tinea pedis/tinea manuum (94 cases). Each patient was randomly assigned to a regimen of 50 or 100 mg of itraconazole daily. Of the cases of tinea corporis and/or tinea cruris, 94% responded to 50 mg of itraconazole daily and 96% to 100 mg daily. The effects of therapy were evident earlier when 100 mg daily was given. Of the cases of tinea pedis and/or tinea manuum, 80% responded to 50 mg of itraconazole daily and 94% to 100 mg. Again, improvement was seen sooner with the 100-mg regimen. Only five patients (2.9%) reported minor adverse reactions. Hematologic and blood-biochemical parameters were monitored before treatment and at biweekly intervals thereafter in 37 patients; no significant abnormalities were observed. Thus, either 50 or 100 mg of itraconazole daily constitutes effective treatment for dermatophytoses. Since the larger dosage induces a faster response, it should be evaluated further.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole