a comparison between topical griseofulvin and topical clotrimazole in tinea versicolor

griseofulvin is a well-known, effective, systemic antifungal agent which has not been used topically in the current clinical practice. in order to treat the common superficial fungal infection of tinea versicolor, a new topical formulation of griseofulvin (1%) was tried in 105 patients during a double blind study and its efficacy compared with placebo (its vehicle) and clotrimazol (1%) solutions. as a result, 17.9% of patients treated by griseofulvin, 38.9% of patients on clotrimazole and 3.3% of patients receiving placebo were completely cured. this study suggests that in proper solvent, topical griseofulvin might show its antifungal action.