title: Oral terbinafine (Lamisil) in the short-term treatment of fungal infections of the skin: results of a post-marketing surveillance study.
abstract: Oral terbinafine (Lamisil, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland) is an effective therapy for fungal infections of the skin and nails. A post-marketing surveillance study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral terbinafine. A total of 454 patients with clinically and mycologically confirmed superficial fungal infections of the skin were enrolled from 79 dermatology clinics. Patients received oral terbinafine (250 mg day-1) for 2 weeks. Specific signs and symptoms were assessed by standard questionnaire before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after treatment. Observed improvements in patients after 2 weeks treatment were: erythema 81%, blistering 33%, exudation 50%, scaling 89%, pruritus 83%. After 4 weeks treatment, erythema was absent in 85% of patients, blistering and exudation in 99.7%, scaling in 82%, and pruritus in 94%. Overall clinical efficacy was assessed as good to excellent in 97% of patients. Adverse effects--mainly gastrointestinal and minor skin rashes--were reported in 5.3% of patients. The results of this study confirm that oral terbinafine is safe and highly effective for the short-term treatment of fungal skin infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria. Michael.Binder@akh-Wien.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Binder
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nell
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D000077291:Terbinafine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000077291:Terbinafine