The Efficacy and Safety of Short-term Therapy with Itraconazole Melt-Extrusion Tablet in The Hyperkeratotic Type of Tinea Pedis and/or Tinea Manus / 대한의진균학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The many antifungal agents have been used in fungal infections. In usual trial agents, itraconazole still remains difficult to absorption in gastrointestinal tract. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of short-term itraconazole melt-extrusion tablet increased in hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea mauns. METHODS: From November 1998 to February 1999, a total of 60 patients with palmoplantar type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus at Department of Dermatology of 5 general hospital, were enrolled in a subject group for the study. Itraconazole melt-extrusion tablet was administered, 200mg twice daily, in one week. Clinical symptoms and signs with mycological findings were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (male 33, female 23; mean age 36.1+/-10.7; mean duration 6.5+/-4.8) completed the follow-ups. Direct KOH smear examination was positive in all them. Decrease in initial percentages of patients showing symptoms at the last follow-up 2 months after starting therapy for scale, from 100% to 85.4%; for ertyema, from 91.1% to 10.7%; for hyperkeratosis from 100% to 32.3%; for pruritus, from 82.1% to 10.7%. Mycologic cure rate was 92.9% at the last follow-up. Overall clinical responses evaluated at the last follow-up were 'cured' in 6 pathients(10.7%), 'markedly improved' in 38 patiendts(67.9%), making a clinical response rate of 78.6%. During therapy, transient epigastria pain and indigeastion developed in 5 patients(8.9%). CONCLUSION: With these results, itraconazole melt-extrusion table is considered an effective and safe treatment modality for hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus.