A multi-center, double-blind comparison of ketoconazole and griseofulvin in the treatment of infections due to dermatophytes.

The efficacy and safety of daily doses of 200 mg of ketoconazole or 250 mg of griseofulvin (Fulvicin-P/G, Schering, Kenilworth, N.J.) in the treatment of patients with infections due to dermatophytes are being evaluated in a three-center study. Patients with chronic dermatomycoses resistant to topical treatment or with infections that involve large areas of the body, a condition that indicates oral therapy, are being treated for a minimum of four weeks. Eleven (38%) of 29 patients treated with ketoconazole for four weeks and five (24%) of 21 patients treated with grisofulvin for the same amount of time were rated as cured. At completion of therapy (four to eight weeks), 24 (83%) of 29 patients treated with ketoconazole and six (32%) of 19 patients treated with griseofulvin were rated as cured (P = < 0.001). One (7%) of 14 patients treated with ketoconazole and four (80%) of five patients treated with griseofulvin were rated as relapsed within 28 days after completion of therapy (P = 0.006). No significant adverse effects have been reported for either treatment group. The preliminary results of this study have shown ketoconazole to be more effective than griseofulvin in the treatment of dermatomycoses.