Comparison of the efficacy of clotrimazole and itraconazole in the treatment of acute vulvovaginal candidiasis

ABSTRACT

A clinical trial to compare the efficacy of clotrimazole and itraconazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The clinical trial was conducted in the Gynecological outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Amir, Semnan, Iran between the 1st of June 2006 and 31st of June 2007. Vulvovaginal candidiasis was diagnosed by history, examination, smear and culture. Patients [N=264 cases] were divided in two groups. One group was treated with Itraconazole [400mg two divided dose] and the second with clotrimazole vaginal cream [5 grams daily; to be given over 6 days duration]. Patients was considered cured if there were no clinical signs of infection and the smear and culture were negative ten days after the treatment. Statistical analysis for significance was conducted using Student T, chi-square and exact Fisher tests using SPSS package. The mean age of itraconazole and clotrimazole groups were 28.1 +/- 4.8 and 28 +/- 5.8 and cure rates were 88% [110 case] and 81% [103 cases] respectively. There was increased frequency of micturations in 4 cases of itraconazole and 7 cases of clotimazole group and dyspareunia in 2 cases of itraconazole and 6 cases of clotimazole group.The satisfaction rates with treatment were 94.4% [118 cases] and 86% [109 cases] respectively. So, there wasn't any significant statistical difference in cure rate, side effects and satisfaction rate between the two groups. No difference was found in the cure rate for vaginal clotrimazole and oral itraconazole after the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis and the side effects of both drugs were minimal