title: 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.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Haroon
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahangir
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kazmi
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sami
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nagi
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Alvi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077291:Terbinafine; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000077291:Terbinafine