Single-day topical treatment of vaginal candidosis: an open evaluation of terconazole 240-mg vaginal suppositories versus isoconazole tablets 600 mg.

Abstract

The incidence of genital mycoses in women has increased over the past few years. Treatment prescribed by general practitioners has usually been for a period of 6 days, even though full cure is usually obtained before the treatment period was completed. This indicates that a short-term treatment might be appropriate. In the present study, 59 women were given short-term treatment. All had mycotic infections demonstrated by cultures on Nickerson’s medium. 29 patients were treated with one terconazole 240-mg vaginal suppository and 30 women received two isoconazole 300-mg vaginal tablets. Follow-up examinations were performed after 1 and 4 weeks following the first treatment. The therapeutic result was assessed on the basis of culture growth and on interrogation of the women as to their subjective complaints. After 1 week these complaints were still present in 3 subjects in both groups, although the respective cultures were demonstrated in 2 cases on terconazole and in 3 cases on isoconazole. 4 weeks after treatment, all patients in both groups were cured of their mycoses. 1 woman in the isoconazole group still complained of pruritus and burning. 1 patient on terconazole reported continued massive vaginal discharge. Therefore the results showed that the therapeutic result was good or very good in all cases. This study has shown that short-term therapy is well tolerated and is successful in the treatment of vulvovaginal mycoses.