Itraconazole oral solution for the treatment of tinea capitis using the pulse regimen

A 7-year-old boy with Trichophyton tonsurans tinea capitis was cured follow ing the administration of itraconazole oral solution. He had difficulty swa llowing tablets or capsules, so the availability of the oral solution was p articularly advantageous. The itraconazole was given once daily in a fastin g state at a dosage of 3 mg/kg/day as a pulse lasting 1 week. The first two pulses were separated by 2 weeks and the second and third pulse by 3 weeks . The decision whether or not to administer the third pulse was guided by t he presence of clinical symptoms and signs of tinea capitis just prior to t he scheduled administration. The availability of the oral solution will ena ble more young children to be considered for treatment of tinea capitis wit h itraconazole than was possible when only tablets or capsules were availab le.