Comparative study of oral and topical ketoconazole therapy in pityriasis versicolor.

INTRODUCTION: Both topical and systemic ketoconazole are reported to be effective against pityriasis versicolor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients suffering from pityriasis versicolor were treated either with oral ketoconazole 200 mg per day or 2% ketoconazole cream topically once daily for 2 weeks. RESULTS: On global assessment, after 2 weeks of start of therapy, 18 (90%) out of 20 patients treated with oral ketoconazole were cured while 2 patients had considerable residual disease. In the ketoconazole cream group, 16 (80%) out of 20 patients were cured and 4 patients had considerable residual disease. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was observed in the response rates in the two groups. Relapse occurred in two patients of the systemic ketoconazole group and six patients of the topical ketoconazole group during the follow-up period of three months.