Indian Journal of Scientific Research

To compare the efficacy and safety of topical clotrimazole cream 1% with miconazole gel 2% in dermatophytoses in real life clinical practice. Data of 255 patients, with mean age 34.3 years were available from two centres (clotrimazole= 130 & miconazole = 125). These patients were treated for average 12 days for Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris and were observed for symptomatic relief (changes in pruritus, erythema, burning/stinging, redness and clearance of lesions) and the time taken for it. The efficacy of treatment was rated on a 5 points scale (1=poor, 3= average and 5= excellent). In dermatophytoses, more number of patients showed greater symptomatic improvement in clotrimazole group as compared to the miconazole group [pruritus relief: 54% vs. 46% (p<0.05); improvement in erythema: 45% vs 39% (p<0.05); improvement in burning and stinging: 39% vs. 32% (p<0.05); clearance of lesion in terms of large improvement and cured: 66% vs 61% (p<0.05)]. Clotrimazole cream 1% provided quicker relief than miconazole gel 2% [8 days vs 8.8 days for pruritus (p<0.05); 6.9 days vs 7.2 days for burning and stinging (p<0.05); 7.2 days vs 7.8 days for improvement in redness (p<0.05)]. No adverse events were encountered. Topical clotrimazole cream 1% offers faster and better relief of symptoms than topical miconazole gel 2% in dermatophytoses.