Randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study of itraconazole for the treatment of onychomycosis.

Background: Itraconazole, approved for treatment of toenail fungal infection onychomycosis, provides antifungal activity at a dosage requiring once-daily (QD) administration of 2 100-mg capsules for 12 weeks. Utilizing the Meltrex® technology delivery system, a novel 200-mg formulation of itraconazole was developed delivering the same dosage as 2 capsules in a single tablet.

Methods: This phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the noninferiority of 1 itraconazole 200-mg tablet to 2 itraconazole 100-mg capsules dosed QD for 12 weeks, with a 40-week follow-up period. Clinical Cure (Investigator's Global Assessment plus mycological examination) was the primary outcome measure and Clinical Improvement was a secondary endpoint. Safety and efficacy of itraconazole 200-mg tablets were also compared with placebo.

Results: Significantly more patients in the intent-to-treat per-protocol populations on itraconazole (200-mg tablet or 2 100-mg capsules) achieved Complete Cure and Clinical Improvement compared with placebo. For both endpoints, itraconazole 200-mg tablet QD was noninferior to itraconazole 100-mg capsules and superior to placebo. All treatment groups demonstrated a similar safety profile with no new safety signals identified.

Limitations: Absolute patient blinding was not possible; the number of tablets versus capsules differed, and the appearance of the active drugs could not be masked. However, efficacy was based on objective assessments from blinded investigators.

Conclusions: Once-daily itraconazole 200-mg was well-tolerated, and may be an effective alternative to 2 itraconazole 100-mg capsules for the treatment of toenail onychomycosis. The convenience of a simpler dosing regimen may improve patient compliance