Efficacy of ketoconazole v nystatin in prevention of fungal infections in neutropenic patients.

A prospective randomized study was undertaken in neutropenic patients to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic ketoconazole v nystatin in reducing yeast infections. Eighteen patients received 500,000 units of nystatin suspension four times daily, and 18 patients received 200 mg of ketoconazole daily. The nystatin group experienced nine local yeast infections (four thrush, three esophagitis, and two vaginitis); three patients receiving ketoconazole had thrush. No cases of disseminated candidiasis occurred in either group. Ketoconazole was better tolerated than nystatin and neither drug caused toxic effects. In addition to being nontoxic and better tolerated, ketoconazole appeared to be slightly more effective than nystatin in reducing locally severe yeast infections.