A double-blind, randomized comparative trial: flutrimazole 1% solution versus bifonazole 1% solution once daily in dermatomycoses

Efficacy of flutrimazole 1% powder in the treatment of tinea pedis

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of flutrimazole 1% powder vs. bifonazole 1% powder in treating tinea pedis. A multicentre, double blind, randomized, parallel and comparative study was conducted. Two hundred and twenty-two patients with clinically and mycologically confirmed tinea pedis were randomized to flutrimazole (n = 136) or bifonazole (n = 138) 1% powder applied twice daily for 4 weeks. The corresponding clinical cure rates were assessed at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and the global (clinical and mycological) cure rates were determined at the fourth week. Clinical cure rates were 83.5 and 82.4% for flutrimazole and bifonazole, respectively (95% CI: -0.0806 to 0.1009). Global cure rates were observed in 65.3 and 70.1% of patients treated with flutrimazole and bifonazole, respectively (95% CI: -0.0828 to 0.1779). Three non serious adverse events at the application site--itching (one patient per group) and dishydrotic eczema (one patient treated with flutrimazole)--were recorded during the study. These results support that flutrimazol 1% powder applied twice daily for a duration of 4 weeks is highly effective in the treatment of tinea pedis, showing a similar therapeutic profile with that of bifonazole 1% powder.

Topical treatment of dermatophytosis and cutaneous candidosis with flutrimazole 1% cream: double-blind, randomized comparative trial with ketoconazole 2% cream

In a double-blind, randomized study the efficacy and tolerance of flutrimazole 1% cream were compared with ketoconazole 2% cream, applied once daily for 4 weeks, in 60 patients with culturally proven dermatophytosis (47 patients) or cutaneous candidosis (13 patients). Both groups of patients and distribution of target lesions were similar. The sum of clinical scores had an even distribution in both groups at the end of treatment. The proportion of patients with negative microscopy and culture after 4 weeks of treatment was 70% in the flutrimazole group and 53% in the ketoconazole group; seven ketoconazole-treated patients (23%) compared with two flutrimazole-treated patients (6.6%) were asymptomatic carriers (clinically cured with positive cultures) at the end of treatment. At the assessment 6 weeks after the end of therapy the percentages of flutrimazole- and ketoconazole-treated patients with negative mycology were 57 and 70%, respectively. There were one relapse (3.3%) in the ketoconazole group and four (13.3%) in the flutrimazole group. One patient treated with ketoconazole (3%) had a premature termination due to adverse events attributable to the medication. The results of this study show that flutrimazole 1% cream is as effective and safe as ketoconazole 2% cream for Candida and dermatophyte skin infections.