DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2022.v10i05.004

Pages: 110-115

Background: Dermatophytosis management is difficult in Bangladesh, and there have been reports of systemic antifungals being used at greater doses. However, there have been numerous reports of increased treatment failures with terbinafine at standard dosage, consequently we performed this study to compare the efficacy and safety of terbinafine at high dose with terbinafine fluconazole at 150mg weekly dose. In both arms, topical ciclopirox olamine was used. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare of the efficacy of terbinafine versus and co-administration of terbinafine and fluconazole in patients of tinea corporis. Methods: This was randomized, open label, comparative study where 80 patients with tinea corporis et cruris infection were included. Patients were either prescribed terbinafine 250mg twice a day or Terbinafine 250mg daily and Fluconazole 150mg weekly. Efficacy was assessed based on complete, clinical and mycological cure rate. Safety was assessed by evaluating adverse events and monitoring liver function of patients. Results: Total 80 patients completed the study with 40 in each group. 81.5% patients achieved complete cure in Terbinafine and Fluconazole group compared to 73.9% patients in Terbinafine group. At the end of 6 weeks, there was a statistically significant improvement (p value<0.05) in the total symptom score (erythema, scaling, and pruritus) in Terbinafine as well as in terbinafine and fluconazole compared to baseline. None of the patients showed any significant side effect in both groups. No changes in liver function were observed in both the groups. Conclusion: This study shows that the high dose of terbinafine and Co-administration of standard dose of terbinafine fluconazole along with CPO is effective and safe in management of tinea corporis et cruris.