Tioconazole nail solution-an open study of its efficacy in onychomycosis

Abstract

In view of the problems encountered in the treatment of onychomycosis with orally administered antifungal drugs, alternative forms of therapy arc needed. Tioconazole (28%) nail solution is a new topical preparation for use on infected nails. In this study 27 patients received treatment with tioconazole (28%) for up to 12 months. Six patients (22%) achieved complete clinical remission and were free of infection at follow‐up, 3 months after therapy. They included infections caused by Trichophyton rubruni (4), Hendersonula toruloidea (1) and Acremonium (1). Apart from the latter, all infections responding to treatment were in the finger nails, even though three patients had active infection in the toe nails as well which did not respond to therapy. Significant improvements were recorded in a further 11 patients. They did not, however, achieve complete clinical and mycological recovery. The results indicate that cures of onychomycosis are possible after topical therapy, and further methods of using this form of treatment such as combined surgical and topical therapy are discussed.