Clinical efficacy of eberconazole vs. terbinafine in dermatophytosis :- Medznat

Dermatophytosis, including tinea corporis and tinea cruris, is among the most common superficial fungal infections encountered in clinical practice.

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Key take away

Eberconazole nitrate 1% cream shows clinical and mycological efficacy comparable to terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream in tinea corporis and tinea cruris, with excellent tolerability.

Background

Dermatophytosis, including tinea corporis and tinea cruris, is among the most common superficial fungal infections encountered in clinical practice. Topical antifungals remain the standard treatment modality for localized disease. Terbinafine hydrochloride, a fungicidal allylamine, is widely used because of its proven effectiveness.

Eberconazole nitrate, a newer imidazole antifungal with fungistatic activity, has emerged as a potential alternative. Researchers compared terbinafine 1% and eberconazole 1% creams for the management of tinea corporis and tinea cruris.

Method

A randomized comparative study was conducted involving 30 patients suffering from localized tinea corporis or tinea cruris. Volunteers were allocated equally into two treatment groups:

Group A (n=15): Terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream applied for 3 weeks
Group B (n=15): Eberconazole nitrate 1% cream applied for 3 weeks

Patients were evaluated weekly for up to 3 weeks. Treatment response was assessed through:

Clinical improvement of lesions and symptoms
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount examination
Fungal culture findings

Complete cure was determined using both clinical and mycological parameters.

Result

Compared with terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream, eberconazole nitrate 1% cream illustrated equivalent clinical and mycological efficacy throughout the 3-week treatment period. No statistically significant differences were noted between the groups at week 1 (P=0.608 and 1.00), week 2 (P=0.291 and 0.55), or week 3 (P=1.00 and 1.00). Both treatments were well-tolerated, with no clinically significant local adverse effects reported in either group.

Conclusion

Eberconazole nitrate 1% cream provided efficacy equivalent to terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream for the treatment of localized tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Comparable clinical and mycological cure rates, coupled with the absence of significant treatment-related adverse effects, supported the use of eberconazole as a well-tolerated alternative topical antifungal therapy.