Safety of oral itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v21i2.450Keywords:
Itraconazole, seborrheic dermatitis, safetyAbstract
Background Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic, papulosquamous dermatosis and Malassezia yeasts are considered as causative factors. The dual antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of oral itraconazole account for its prolonged therapeutic action in SD.
Objectives: To assess the safety of oral itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Patients and methods During a period of total 2 years from January, 2008 to December, 2009, 37 patients of SD were treated with oral itraconazole (200 mg/day for 7 days) in first month and consecutive use of 200 mg/day for the first 2 days of the following 11 months. Patients were followed up monthly for clinical side effects and biochemical derangements.
Results 16 (43.2%) patients suffered from different side effects of drug i.e. nausea in 16 (76.2%) patients, followed by abdominal pain in 3 (14.3%) and diarrhea in 2 (9.5%). These were self-limiting and did not warrant discontinuation of therapy. Biochemical abnormalities were not seen in any patient.
Conclusion The study suggests that oral itraconazole is a safe treatment option of seborrheic dermatitis.
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Copyright (c) 2016 Lubna Khondker, Md Abdul Wahab, Md Shirajul Islam Khan, Sonia Shirin
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