Comparison of a single 400 mg dose versus a 7-day 200 mg daily dose of itraconazole in the treatment of tinea versicolor.
BACKGROUND
Tinea (pityriasis) versicolor is a superficial infection of the stratum corneum by the lipophilic fungus known as Malassezia furfur.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 400 mg single dose or 7-day 200 mg daily dose of itraconazole capsules in the treatment of mycologically confirmed pityriasis versicolor.


METHODS
A total of 50 patients were entered into a randomized, open, clinical trial comparing a 400 mg single dose (n = 24 for group 1) with a 7-day 200 mg daily dose (n = 26 for group 2) of itraconazole. Clinical signs and symptoms and mycologic evaluation (potassium hydroxide preparation and Wood's lamp) were performed before treatment, and at weeks 3 and 6 after treatment.


RESULTS
Both regimens of itraconazole were effective. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in efficacy and safety between the two treatment regimens (chi-square tests, p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of these findings, a single dose of itraconazole 400 mg/day was as effective as the 7-day 200 mg daily dose in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.
Köse
O
O
Department of Dermatology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, School of Medicine Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. okose@gata.edu.tr
Bülent Taştan
H
H
Riza Gür
A
A
Kurumlu
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole