COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF SINGLE ORAL DOSE OF FLUCONAZOLE VS A SINGLE ORAL DOSE OF ITRACONAZOLE IN PATIENTS WITH PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR

S ULLAH; S SALEEM

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.151

Authors

S ULLAH Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera, Pakistan
S SALEEM Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.151

Keywords:

Pityriasis Versicolor, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Mycological Cure

Abstract

Background: Pityriasis versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia species, presenting with hypo- or hyperpigmented scaly patches. Although systemic antifungal agents such as fluconazole and itraconazole are widely used, evidence regarding their comparative single-dose efficacy remains limited. Objective: To compare the efficacy of a single oral dose of fluconazole versus a single oral dose of itraconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Nowshera, Pakistan. Duration of Study: From 11 December 2024 to 11 May 2025. Methods: A total of 92 patients with clinically and microscopically confirmed pityriasis versicolor were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling and randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A received a single oral dose of fluconazole 400 mg, while Group B received a single oral dose of itraconazole 400 mg. Diagnosis was confirmed using a Wood's lamp examination and a 10% KOH mount, which showed the characteristic "spaghetti and meatball" appearance. Treatment efficacy was defined as the absence of fungal elements on repeat KOH mount at 4 weeks post-treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with a chi-square test applied for comparison; p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 33.11 ± 8.75 years in Group A and 32.00 ± 7.79 years in Group B, with no significant difference between groups. Fluconazole demonstrated significantly higher efficacy, with 82.6% (n = 38) of patients achieving clearance, compared to 60.9% (n = 28) in the itraconazole group (p = 0.02). Conclusion: A single oral dose of fluconazole was significantly more effective than a single oral dose of itraconazole in treating pityriasis versicolor. These findings support fluconazole as a superior first-line systemic treatment option for this condition.

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