title: A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of fluconazole oral suspension and amphotericin B oral suspension in cancer patients with mucositis.
abstract: This randomized study compared the efficacy and safety of fluconazole suspension with that of amphotericin B suspension in patients with head and neck cancer who were suffering from candidiasis during cancer treatment with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A total of 123 evaluable patients received 50 mg fluconazole once daily and 120 evaluable patients received 0.5 g amphotericin B thrice daily for 7-14 days depending on clinical response. A positive culture result was obtained in 121 of 264 (46%) patients; Candida albicans was most common. At the end of treatment, fluconazole and amphotericin B were equivalent (CI(90) of -10.7 to +14.9) in terms of clinical cure and improvement, but the rate of mycologic cure was higher for fluconazole (48%) than amphotericin B (35%). The incidence of adverse events was 39% for fluconazole and 44% for amphotericin B. Fluconazole suspension appeared effective and safe.
authors.affiliation: C.R.L.C. Oscar Lambret, 1 rue Frédéric Combemale, B.P. 307 59020-Lille Cedex, France. jl-lefebvre@o-lambret.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domenge
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole