Comparative study between terbinafine 1% emulsion-gel versus ketoconazole 2% cream in tinea cruris and tinea corporis

An open, prospective, comparative, randomised and parallel-group study of 65 patients was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 1 % emulsion-gel of terbinafine versus 2% ketoconazole cream in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Treatment for terbinafine emulsion-gel was applied once daily for 1 week, whereas ketoconazole cream was applied once daily for 2 weeks; patients were followed for 2 weeks. Thirty-three patients in the terbinafine group and 32 in the ketoconazole group were evaluated for efficacy and safety. At the end of the study, rates of mycological cure were 94% for terbinafine emulsion-gel and 69% for ketoconazole cream (p = 0.027). A clinical and mycological overall evaluation was obtained for 72% of patients receiving terbinafine emulsion gel and 31% of patients receiving ketoconazole cream (p = 0.002). A total of four patients (1 in the terbinafine group and 3 in the ketoconazole group) had contact dermatitis-like side effects. We conclude that a 1-week course of terbinafine 1% emulsion-gel is significantly more effective than ketoconazole 2% cream in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris as regards clinical and mycological cure and treatment safety.