Publication:

Comparative study of the efficacy and safety of topical sertaconazole versus topical terbinafine in the treatment of dermatophytoses in a tertiary care centre

Background Dermatophytes are superficial fungal infection termed dermatophytosis, diagnosed by direct microscopy and confirmed with culture and treated with antifungal agents by both topical and systemic therapy. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of topical sertaconazole with topical terbinafine applied twice daily in reducing the size and severity of the lesions.

Methods Two groups of patients, the topical sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream (group 1) and the topical terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream (group 2) were treated twice daily for 2 weeks and followed after 4 weeks. Skin scrapings were taken to confirm the diagnosis, to assess the efficacy and potency of the study drugs. The statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for Social Sciences. Assessment of the groups was analysed using Chi-square test. Baseline demographic data was analysed using ANOVA.

Results At the end of first week, sertaconazole group showed significant changes in pruritis (p value 0.045) as compared to terbinafine group (p value <0.05) and no severe symptoms of erythema in both grups. After 2 weeks, resolution of vesicle was seen higher in terbinafine group. But after ‘follow-up phase’, all patients showed absence of vesicles and negative mycological assessment.

Conclusions Topical sertaconazole nitrate was better in reducing the severity of pruritis and achieving faster mycological cure compared to terbinafine and found to possess additional anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory action.