EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DERMATOPHYTIC INFECTIONS WITH EVALUATION OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LULICONAZOLE CREAM 1% VERSUS MICONAZOLE 2% CREAM- A RANDOMIZED TWO- GROUP STUDY
The present study was a multi-center randomized, single blind, two-group comparison study involving 100 patients between the ages of 18-77 years. The aims of the study were to study the epidemiological patterns of dermatophytic infections and evaluate the efficacy and safety of Luliconazole 1% cream versus Miconazole 2% cream. Patients included in the study had lesions suggestive of either Tinea cruris or Tinea corporis; and were mycologically confirmed positive. Patients were randomly given 1% Luliconazole or 2% Miconazole for a period of 4 wks. KOH mount and culture on SDA with antibiotics and cycloheximide were done at every visit (weekly) for four weeks. Adverse effects and tolerability were assessed at each visit. 50 patients were allocated to each group. Majority of the patients were in the 18-47 years age group. The fungi isolated were Trichophyton rubrum in 65 patients and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 30 and Epidermophyton floccosum in 5 patients. Dermatophytosis is difficult to treat completely, therefore, a new antifungal with increased potency is required. Luliconazole is an “optically active†Imidazole that inhibits ergosterol synthesis and therefore meets the requirement of an ideal topical antifungal drug