open evaluation of fluconazole as a single dose oral treatment for vaginal infections with candida

ABSTRACT

The clinical and mycological efficacy of single-dose oral treatment with Fluconazole 150mg was evaluated in 29 patients with vaginal candidiasis confirmed by microscopic and culture examination. Clinical and mycological evaluations were done at 5-9 days after treatment and again at 4-6 weeks after treatment. Fluconazole produced rapid relief of signs and symptoms [erythema, excoriation, erosion, discharge, pruritis and burning/irritation] and this relief persisted in 80 to 90% of patients 4-6 weeks after treatment. At 5-9 days post treatment, 93% of patients were clinically cured or improved while 76% of patients were mycologically cured. At long term follow-up visit 4-6 weeks after treatment, 100% of patients were found clinically cured or improved while 97% were determined candida-free on microscopic/culture examination. Overall therapeutic response [combining clinical and mycological response to treatment] at the end of the study was rated excellent or good in 93% of the patients. Toleration of the drug was exceptional as no side effect was reported by the patients during the study. Results of this study suggest that fluconazolc as a single dose oral treatment is effective in providing both short-term and long-term control of vaginal candidiasis clinically as well as mycologically, with no problem of toleration