CLINICAL EVALUATION OF 1% OXICONAZOLE CREAM FOR DERMATOPHYTOSIS: EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY

Background:  Dermatophytosis, also known as ring worm is a common fungal infection that affects a significant portion of the global population. In Pakistan, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Tinea Pedis are most common fungal infections. Oxiconazole has recently been introduced in Pakistan for treatment of dermatophytosis. Objectives: To evaluate clinical efficacy of 1% oxiconazole cream once daily for treatment of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis and to estimate its side effects. Methods: A clinical trial was carried out in the outpatient department of Dermatology, Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, EME, Lahore.110 patients of Dermatophytosis were selected and were instructed to apply 1% oxiconazole cream once daily for 6 weeks with clinical assessment made fortnightly during treatment period. Results:  The mean age of patients were 40.5 years. Numbers of male patients were 48 and female patients were 62. Among 110 patients, tinea corporis were found in 58 (52.7%), tinea cruris in 29 (26.3%) and tinea pedis in 23 (20.9%) patients. Mean clinical assessment score declined from 8.2 + 1.5 at baseline to 4.1+1.2 at week 2, 1.5 +1.3 at week 4 and 0.6+ 1.1 at week 6. Reduction of clinical assessment from baseline at end of the treatment period was statically significant (p < 0.001). Improvement of clinical score from baseline was 50.1% at week 2, 92.6% at week 4, 95.2% at week 6. Global response was clear in 77(70%), good in 32(29%) patients and fair in 1 (1%). Side effects like pruritus, erythema and burning were not reported in any patient. Conclusion: Once daily application of 1% oxiconazole cream is highly effective, affordable and tolerable treatment for dermatophytosis.