Vulvovaginal candidosis: comparison of 3-day treatment with 2% butoconazole nitrate cream and 6-day treatment with 1% clotrimazole cream.

Sixty-three women with laboratory confirmed diagnoses of vulvovaginal candidosis were enrolled into this randomized, single-blind, parallel comparison of treatment with 2% butoconazole nitrate cream for 3 days and 1% clotrimazole cream for 6 days. Approximately 1 week after treatment ended both medications had substantially relieved vulvovaginal discharge, itching, burning, erythema and swelling. Both fungal cultures and potassium hydroxide stained preparations of vaginal secretions were negative for 93.3% of the butoconazole nitrate-treated patients. Comparable results for clotrimazole-treated patients were 80.6% and 77.4%, respectively. Both treatments improved the clinical signs and symptoms of candidosis. More butoconazole nitrate-treated patients (53.3%) had a 'very good' clinical response to treatment than clotrimazole-treated patients (38.7%). None of these differences was statistically significant, nor were statistically significant differences found between the percentages of patients considered clinically, microbiologically, or therapeutically cured in each group. No adverse experiences were associated with either treatment. Thus, the 3-day butoconazole nitrate regimen was considered as efficacious and safe as the 6-day clotrimazole regimen.