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Short‐duration therapy with terbinafine for dermatophyteonychomycosis: A multicentre trial
Author(s) -
GOODFIELD M.J.D.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1992.tb00007.x
Subject(s) - terbinafine , medicine , dermatophyte , placebo , surgery , mycosis , adverse effect , dermatology , antifungal , itraconazole , pathology , alternative medicine
Summary Terbinafine, an orally active antifungal agent, is effective in the treatment of dermatophyte onychomycosis when given for 12 months in the case of toenail infection (TN) and 6 months for fingernail infection (FN). The rapid response and short mycological cure time indicate a potential for a reduced treatment duration. In this multicentre double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, 112 patients with mycologically proven dermatophyte onychomycosis were given 250 mg/day of terbinafine for 3 months. Twenty‐seven patients were excluded, leaving 85 fully evaluable [average age 44 (range 19–78) years; 55 men; 75 TN, 10 FN]. Forty‐nine of the TN patients and seven of the FN patients received terbinafine. At the end of the follow‐up period, the TN mycological cure rate with active treatment was 82% (37/45), but no patient taking placebo maintained mycological cure ( P <0.001). Of the FN patients treated with active drug, 71% (5/7) achieved mycological cure at the end of follow‐up. Minor side‐effects occurred in 41% of the placebo‐treated group compared with 33% of those taking terbinafine. These adverse events were mainly gastrointestinal. Two patients taking terbinafine discontinued treatment—one with tonsillitis and another with diarrhoea. In conclusion, 3‐month treatment with terbinafine is effective, well tolerated and safe in dermatophyte onychomycosis. Shortduration therapy for this indication represents a major therapeutic advance.