Comparative Study Between Pulsed and Continuous Itraconazole for the Treatment of Onychomycosis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The term onychomycosis is used for a chronic fungal infection of the nail which when caused
by dermatophytes, becomes tinea unguium. It not only includes the dermatophytes but also
saprophytic molds infections and yeasts. Thorough literature research has revealed that 90%
toenail and 75% fingernail onychomycosis are a result of dermatophytes arguably by
Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum. Comorbid conditions such as diabetes
mellitus and peripheral arterial disease and immunosuppression due to HIV plays a catalytic
role in its prognosis. In a study, upon comparison of placebo with continuous terbinafine 250
mg daily for 24 weeks and continuous terbinafine 250 mg daily for 16 weeks, no significant
differences were observed by the researchers between the two methods i.e continuous and pulse
regimens of terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole respectively. Moreover, in one another
research study, the researchers also did not find significant superiority of continuous
itraconazole 200 mg daily for 12 weeks over pulsed itraconazole 400 mg in the treatment of
terms onychomycosis of mycological cure that is the reason why continuous daily itraconazole
200 mg for 24 weeks has so far performed best in rank probabilities over other therapies, but
its clinical significance is still debated. The purpose of carrying out this study was to
carry out comparison between pulsed and continuous itraconazole for the treatment of
onychomycosis as previous literature shows ambiguous results, therefore, this study will
cement the rare evidence pertaining to the efficacy of pulsed and continuous itraconazole in
the treatment of onychomycosis in our local population