A comparative trial between the therapeutic efficacy of topical 2% sertaconazole cream and 1% terbinafine cream in the treatment of tinea cruris/tinea corporis

Background: Skin infections caused by dermatophyte fungi account for 6% of dermatology consultations at our hospital and 3 to 4% worldwide. A variety of antifungal agents are available for topical use. Terbinafine 1% cream is considered the first line topical medication in the treatment of dermatophytosis. Sertaconazole 2% cream is a relatively new drug having antifungal as well as antiflammatory property. In this prospective study we sought to compare the safety and efficacy of topical 2% Sertaconazole and 1% Terbinafine creams in the treatment of localized tinea cruris and/or tinea corporis. Methods: In this study, 80 patients were randomized into two groups of 40 each. Group A received 2% Sertaconazole cream while group B received Terbinafine 1% cream topical application twice daily for 4 weeks. Patients were followed up at the end of 2nd and 4th weeks for clinical, mycological (KOH mount and fungal culture) and complete cure (both clinical and mycological). Results: The mean age of the patients studied was 27.97 years. Complete cure was achieved in 59.5% and 80% in group A and 71.4% and 90.9% in group B at the end of 2nd and 4th weeks respectively. Significant P values were observed if the results were compared within the group, between baseline and 2 weeks, baseline and 4th week and also 2nd and 4th week. Clinically significant side effects were not observed in both the groups. Conclusions: Although higher cure rates were observed in the Terbinafine treated group, the results were not statistically significant. It can be concluded from our study that Sertaconazole 2% cream is similar in efficacy to Terbinafine 1% cream in the treatment of localized tinea cruris and corporis.