BACKGROUND
Flutrimazole is a new imidazole derivate. Its antifungal activity has been demonstrated in in vivo and in vitro studies to be comparable to that of clotrimazole and higher than bifonazole.
AIM
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of flutrimazole cream 1% with a reference drug, bifonazole, in the treatment of dermatomycoses, eligible for topical treatment exclusively.
METHODS
A multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted. Patients with clinically and mycologically (KHO and/or culture) diagnosed fungal infection of the skin were included in this study and were randomized into two treatment groups: 1% flutrimazole or 1% bifonazole, applied to the affected area (target lesion) once a day. The principal criterion of efficacy, 'cure', was based on clinical and mycological assessment.
RESULTS
Four hundred and forty-nine patients were included in the study (228 flutrimazole, 221 bifonazole). 'Intention-to-treat' analysis of the data showed a difference between the treatments in terms of the rate of cure (clinical and mycological) after 4 weeks: 73% in the flutrimazole group and 65% in the bifonazole group (p = 0.05). From a safety point of view, flutrimazole and bifonazole were well tolerated, and the overall incidence of adverse effects (mainly mild local effects like irritation or burning sensation) was 5%.
CONCLUSIONS
One percent flutrimazole applied topically once a day in the treatment of fungal infections of the skin presents a better efficacy than bifonazole and a good tolerability.