One week terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil (R)) once daily is effective in thetreatment of interdigital tinea pedis: a vehicle controlled study

Duration of therapy is an important factor determining patients' compliance in dermatomycosis clinical practice. We undertook a prospective, randomise d, double-blind, parallel group study to investigate the efficacy and toler ability of once daily treatment with terbinaftne 1% cream for q week, compa red to its vehicle, in adult patients with interdigital tinea pedis. Effica cy was assessed in terms of mycological cure, total clinical signs and symp toms scores, and clinical response, 1 day and 1, 5 and 7 weeks after end of treatment. Terbinafine 1% cream was significantly more effective than its vehicle in achieving and maintaining mycological cure for 7 weeks: 91.4% vs . 37.1%, P<0.001. Terbinafine was also significantly more effective than it s vehicle in reducing total clinical signs and symptoms scores, and in achi eving clinical response. We conclude that terbinafine 1% cream, applied onc e daily for 7 days, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for interd igital tinea pedis in nonimmunocompromised patients. The short duration of treatment needed to achieve mycological cure has important implications for patient compliance and for control of infection within the community.