Safety of oral itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis

ABSTRACT

Seborrheic dermatitis [SD] is a chronic, papulosquamous dermatosis and Malassezia yeasts are considered as causative factors. The dual antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of oral itraconazole account for its prolonged therapeutic action in SD. To assess the safety of oral itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. During a period of total 2 years from January, 2008 to December, 2009, 37 patients of SD were treated with oral itraconazole [200 mg/day for 7 days] in first month and consecutive use of 200 mg/day for the first 2 days of the following 11 months. Patients were followed up monthly for clinical side effects and biochemical derangements. 16 [43.2%] patients suffered from different side effects of drug i.e. nausea in 16 [76.2%] patients, followed by abdominal pain in 3 [14.3%] and diarrhea in 2 [9.5%]. These were self-limiting and did not warrant discontinuation of therapy. Biochemical abnormalities were not seen in any patient. The study suggests that oral itraconazole is a safe treatment option of seborrheic dermatitis