Comparative efficacy of continuous and pulse dose terbinafifine regimes in toenail dermatophytosis: A randomized double-blind trial.
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Date
2015-07
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Abstract
Introduction: Dermatophytes are the most frequently implicated agents in toenail
onychomycosis and oral terbinafi ne has shown the best cure rates in this condition. The
pharmacokinetics of terbinafi ne favors its effi cacy in pulse dosing. Objectives: To compare
the effi cacy of terbinafi ne in continuous and pulse dosing schedules in the treatment of
toenail dermatophytosis. Methods: Seventy-six patients of potassium hydroxide (KOH)
and culture positive dermatophyte toenail onychomycosis were randomly allocated to two
treatment groups receiving either continuous terbinafi ne 250 mg daily for 12 weeks or
3 pulses of terbinafi ne (each of 500mg daily for a week) repeated every 4 weeks. Patients
were followed up at 4, 8 and12 weeks during treatment and post-treatment at 24 weeks. At
each visit, a KOH mount and culture were performed. In each patient, improvement in a target
nail was assessed using a clinical score; total scores for all nails and global assessments
by physician and patient were also recorded. Mycological, clinical and complete cure rates,
clinical effectivity and treatment failure rates were then compared. Results: The declines in
target nail and total scores from baseline were signifi cant at each follow-up visit in both the
treatment groups. However, the inter-group difference was statistically insignifi cant. The same
was true for global assessment indices, clinical effectivity as well as clinical, mycological,
and complete cure rates. Limitations: The short follow-up in our study may have led to
lower cure rates being recorded. Conclusion: Terbinafi ne in pulse dosing is as effective as
continuous dosing in the treatment of dermatophyte toenail onychomycosis.
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Keywords
Dermatophyte, onychomycosis, pulse, terbinafine, toe-nails, tinea unguium
Citation
Yadav Pravesh, Singal Archana, Pandhi Deepika, Das Shukla. Comparative effifi cacy of continuous and pulse dose terbinafifi ne regimes in toenail dermatophytosis: A randomized double-blind trial. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2015 Jul-Aug; 81(4): 363-369.