Terbinafine in fungal infections of the nails: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
Historically, there has been a general resistance to treating onychomycosis on the basis that such treatments were protracted and of uncertain outcome. However, modern treatments act more promptly and reliably.


OBJECTIVE
To carry out a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of terbinafine in comparison with placebo, itraconazole and griseofulvin.


METHODS
The analysis used data from published trials, supplemented where necessary by reference to the original trial reports.


RESULTS
Three trials were included in which terbinafine was compared with placebo. From four trials comparing terbinafine with itraconazole, a statistically significant advantage in favour of terbinafine was observed for negative culture and microscopy at the end of the trials. Furthermore, both patients and physicians reported terbinafine to be better tolerated than itraconazole. From two trials comparing terbinafine with griseofulvin, a significantly higher rate of negative microscopy and culture was observed with terbinafine.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant advantage in favour of treatment with terbinafine was observed.
Haugh
M
M
Centre Cochrane Français, Centre Léon Bérnard, 28 rue Laënnec, 69373 Lyon cedex 08, France.
Helou
S
S
Boissel
J P
JP
Cribier
B J
BJ
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006118:Griseofulvin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000077291:Terbinafine
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D017964:Itraconazole; D006118:Griseofulvin; D000077291:Terbinafine