Publication:

A comparative trial between the therapeutic efficacy of topical 2% sertaconazole cream and 1% terbinafine cream in the treatment of tinea cruris/tinea corporis

Background Skin infections caused by dermatophyte fungi account for 6% of dermatology consultations at our hospital and 3 to 4% worldwide. A variety of antifungal agents are available for topical use. Terbinafine 1% cream is considered the first line topical medication in the treatment of dermatophytosis. Sertaconazole 2% cream is a relatively new drug having antifungal as well as antiflammatory property. In this prospective study we sought to compare the safety and efficacy of topical 2% Sertaconazole and 1% Terbinafine creams in the treatment of localized tinea cruris and/or tinea corporis.

Methods In this study, 80 patients were randomized into two groups of 40 each. Group A received 2% Sertaconazole cream while group B received Terbinafine 1% cream topical application twice daily for 4 weeks. Patients were followed up at the end of 2nd and 4th weeks for clinical, mycological (KOH mount and fungal culture) and complete cure (both clinical and mycological).

Results The mean age of the patients studied was 27.97 years. Complete cure was achieved in 59.5% and 80% in group A and 71.4% and 90.9% in group B at the end of 2nd and 4th weeks respectively. Significant P values were observed if the results were compared within the group, between baseline and 2 weeks, baseline and 4th week and also 2nd and 4th week. Clinically significant side effects were not observed in both the groups.

Conclusions Although higher cure rates were observed in the Terbinafine treated group, the results were not statistically significant. It can be concluded from our study that Sertaconazole 2% cream is similar in efficacy to Terbinafine 1% cream in the treatment of localized tinea cruris and corporis.