A comparison of butoconazole nitrate cream with econazole nitrate cream for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

In a randomized, single-blind, parallel study the safety and efficacy of 2% butoconazole nitrate cream used for 3 days were compared with those of 1% econazole nitrate cream used for 7 days at night in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Patients in both treatment groups had positive potassium hydroxide smears and fungal cultures, and were similar in age, disease duration and history, obstetric history and contraceptive use. Of the 75 patients enrolled, 63 with a Candida albicans infection were included in the efficacy analyses. Evaluations were made at the start of the study (visit 1), after 10-23 days (visit 2) and after 24-45 days (visit 3). Both drugs significantly reduced all signs and symptoms, and at visits 2 and 3 the percentages of patients considered microbiologically, clinically and therapeutically cured were consistently higher for butoconazole- than for econazole-treated patients, although differences were not statistically different. Although both drugs were safe and well tolerated, it is concluded that butoconazole because of its much shorter regimen and superior clinical and microbiological performance was the drug of choice.