OXICONAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF TROPICAL DERMATOMYCOSES

A 1% cream formulation of oxiconazole, an imidazole derivative, was us ed to treat 50 cases of tropical dermatomycoses, including 30 cases of pityriasis versicolor, 9 of tinea pedis (3 each due to Trichophyton r ubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum), 5 e ach of tinea corporis and tinea cruris all caused by T rubrum, and one of foot and groin infection due to Trichosporon cutaneum. In most cas es, oxiconazole produced a clinical and mycologic cure within 2 to 4 w eeks of initiating treatment; very few relapses occurred. The drug was well tolerated, and no side effects were reported. Oxiconazole is rec ommended as an effective therapy for superficial fungal infections of the skin.