Efficacy Comparison of Itraconazole Pulse Therapy and Terbinafine Therapy in Treatment of Tinea Capitis in Children.

Comparison Between Therapeutic Efficacy of Itraconazole Pulse Therapy and Terbinafine Therapy in Treatment of Tinea Capitis in Pediatric Population.

Several studies globally have assessed the efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in the treatment of tinea capitis, but local data in this regard is scarce. Therefore, this study was planned with the aim of assessing the difference between the therapeutic efficacy of itraconazole pulse therapy and terbinafine in children with tinea capitis.

The existing literature carries varying results between the effectiveness of itraconazole pulse therapy and continuous terbinafine therapy in treating tinea capitis, and local data in this regard is also scarce. The findings of this study would not only add to the statistics but would also help clinicians to offer a treatment modality in pediatric tinea capitis, which should have better efficacy, a low incidence of side effects, and better patient compliance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any gender
• Aged 1-13 years
• With KOH mount positive before start of treatment
• Duration of disease more than 1 month

Exclusion Criteria:

• KOH mount negative before starting the treatment
• Topical treatment with antifungal agents within past 4 weeks
• Systemic treatment with antifungal agents within past 4 weeks
• Patients with active liver disease
• Patients with elevated liver enzymes