Evaluation of efficacy and safety of topical 1% terbinafine versus topical 2% sertaconazole in patients with tinea cruris - A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Dermatophyte infections are very common and they manifest as tinea corporis/cruris. Among the various topical antifungal drugs available, the first option being terbinafine and new generation azoles as sertaconazole professes superior activity. Aim and Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of topical terbinafine versus topical sertaconazole in tinea cruris patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized control trial from May 2019 to September 2019 in the Department of Dermatology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Over 60 patients with tinea cruris randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Group A applied topical 1% terbinafine cream and Group B applied topical 2% sertaconazole cream for a period of 4 weeks. Follow-up visit of patients was at 2 and 4 weeks to assess efficacy parameters (mycological and clinical cure) and safety assessment done by recording adverse reactions. Results: Thirty patients were analyzed in each group. About 98.3% in the terbinafine group and 99.4% in the sertaconazole group showed significant improvement in signs and symptoms from baseline to 4 weeks (P < 0.001). The mean difference of the total score of all parameters (baseline to 4 weeks) for the terbinafine group was 4.06 ± 0.79 and the sertaconazole group was 4.60 ± 0.95, respectively. Mycological cure was achieved by all patients. Both drugs were well tolerated. No serious adverse drug events in both the groups. Conclusion: Terbinafine was equal in efficacy and safety to newer azole – sertaconazole in treating patients with tinea cruris. However, sertaconazole has showed a better response to therapy as compared to terbinafine.