Double-blind comparison of itraconazole with griseofulvin in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris.

Seventy-eight patients with tinea corporis or tinea cruris participated in a double-blind study with either 100 mg itraconazole or 500 mg ultramicronized griseofulvin for 15 consecutive days. Clinical outcome was significantly in favor of itraconazole at completion of treatment (72% response rate vs. 51%) and at the follow-up visit (91% response vs. 64%). The most important difference between both treatments was the mycologic outcome, for which itraconazole showed a cure rate of 87% compared to 57% for griseofulvin 2 weeks after completion of therapy. It is suggested that 100 mg of itraconazole orally once daily is significantly more effective than 500 mg of griseofulvin once daily for 15 days in the treatment of glabrous skin infections. Both drugs were well tolerated.