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Intermittent therapy with terbinafine and nail abrasion for dermatophyte toe onychomycosis: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Succi Isabella B.,
BernardesEngemann Andréa R.,
OrofinoCosta Rosane
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/myc.12032
Subject(s) - terbinafine , medicine , dermatophyte , surgery , nail (fastener) , dosing , antifungal , dermatology , itraconazole , materials science , metallurgy
Summary Onychomycosis constitutes up to 50% of all nail disorders. Toenails are generally affected, mostly due to dermatophytes. Terbinafine is the most potent antifungal agent in vitro against dermatophytes. There are few randomised controlled trials using a non‐continuous dose of terbinafine. The aim of this open‐label pilot study was to reduce the total drug amount, the collateral effects and, specially, the costs; albeit maintaining the same efficacy of the standard regimens. Compare the outcomes of two different intermittent regimens with the same total amount of the medication (42 tablets in 6 months). Forty‐one patients were divided into the following groups: terbinafine 250 mg day −1 , for 7 days, monthly or terbinafine 500 mg day −1 , once daily, for 7 days, every 2 months, both plus nail abrasion during 6 months. The efficacy was evaluated at months 6, 12 and 18 using the disease free nail criteria. Total cure = group I: eight patients (44.4%) and group II: eight patients (44.4%). Partial cure = group I: five patients (27.8%) and group II: four patients (22.2%). Treatment failure = group I: five patients (27.8%) and group II: three patients (16.7%). Recurrence = group I: zero patients (0.0%) and group II: three patients (16.7%). Two intermittent dosing regimens of terbinafine plus nail abrasion proved to be an alternative statistically effective, safe and with reduced drug costs for dermatophytes toenail onychomycosis.