FEW STUDIES EXIST COMPARING EFFICACY OF ORAL antifungal therapies for tinea pedis. In this study, investigators reviewed the literature of oral antifungals in the treatment of tinea pedis.
This was a systemic review of the literature. The studies selected were randomized trials of clinically diagnosed fungal skin infections of the foot that confirmed cure by culture and microscopy. Two reviewers independently selected trials and abstracted data using a structured tool including 12 recognized quality criteria.
Of 26 trials identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria and evaluated five different treatments. Single placebo-controlled trials showed that terbinafine and itraconazole were both effective. Two trials showed that terbinafine cures 50% more patients than griseofulvin. Four trials compared terbinafine with itraconazole. One showed that terbinafine given for 2 weeks had a better cure rate than 2 weeks of itraconazole, but the other three showed that it was no better than 4 weeks of itraconazole.
There is significant evidence that terbinafine is more effective than griseofulvin, though more costly. There is weak evidence that terbinafine may be more cost-effective than itraconazole. Firm recommendations about the choice between terbinafine and the azoles need further research.
Bell-Syer SE, Hart R, Crawford F, Torgerson DJ, Young P, Tyrrell W, Williams H, Russell I. A systematic review of oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the feet. J Dermatolog Treat 2001 Jun; 12(2):69-74.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
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