Itraconazole in the treatment of superficial mycoses—a double-blind study vs. placebo

Ninety-four patients with dermatophytosis and 16 patients with pityriasis versicolor were assigned under double-blind conditions to oral itraconazole (100 mg once daily) or placebo. The medication consisted of two capsules, each containing 50 mg of active substance, or placebo and was given for 15 or 30 days in patients with dermatophytosis and for 15 days in patients with pityriasis versicolor. Patients with pityriasis versicolor who had not responded at the end of the double-blind period were treated on an open basis with itraconazole (100 mg once daily) for 15 days. In the treatment of dermatophyte infections for 30 days, both clinical response and mycological cure were significantly superior in the itraconazole group compared with placebo. Oral administration of itraconazole (100 mg once daily) was also highly efficacious in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. None of the placebo patients was clinically or mycologically cured at the end of the double-blind phase compared to seven out of eight itraconazole patients. All placebo patients who entered the open phase responded to itraconazole treatment. Three itraconazole-treated patients and nine placebo-treated patients reported side-effects.