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Miconazole nitrate shows promise as onychomycosis treatment
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Half of a cohort of patients with onychomycosis demonstrated improvement after treatment with a 2% miconazole nitrate formulation, according to findings presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.
Researchers from a single site in Ohio conducted an open-label, nonvehicle controlled pilot study of a novel topical cream formulation of 2% miconazole nitrate in 24 individuals. The aim was to investigate the cream as a potential topical agent to penetrate the nail bed where onychomycosis resides.
Patients applied the medication twice daily to all affected toenails, including the proximal and lateral nail folds.
The duration of follow-up was 48 weeks. Follow-up included mycology at all visits and photography at baseline and weeks 24 and 48.
Fifty percent of the 12 patients with dermatophyte-negative final cultures demonstrated some clinical improvement and nail clearing. However, spikes or more severe infection than the inclusion criteria allowed was reported in at least three patients.
Twelve of 14 patients who completed 36 or 48 weeks of treatment had a negative culture at their last visit. However, all but two of those patients remained calcofluor-positive throughout the study.
“This novel 2% miconazole nitrate cream demonstrates promise as a topical treatment for onychomycosis, and further clinical studies are warranted,” the researchers concluded.
For more information:
Ghannoum M. #5241. A novel topical 2% formulation of miconazole demonstrates potential in the treatment of onychomycosis. Presented at: The 70th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. March 16-20, 2012. San Diego, Calif.