Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Oral Fluconazole and Intravaginal Clotrimazole in the Treatment of Vaginal Candidiasis

OBJECTIVE A study was carried out to compare 3 treatment regimens for vaginal candidiasis. METHODS A total of 150 women with clinical and mycological evidence of vaginal candidiasis were randomized to receive 50 mg of oral fluconazole daily for 6 days (50 women), a single oral 150 mg dose of fluconazole (50 women), or 100 mg of intravaginal clotrimazole daily for 6 days (50 women). They were assessed at 5-15 days (short-term assessment) and again at 30-60 days (long-term assessment) after the completion of treatment. RESULTS Candida species were completely eradicated from the vagina in 88% or 80% in the 6-day oral fluconzaole group, 76% or 70% in the single oral fluconazole group, and 72% or 60% in the intravaginal clotrimazole group at short-term or long-term assessment, respectively. The rates of clinical effectiveness were 92% or 88% in the 6-day oral fluconzaole group, 80% or 76% in the single oral fluconazole group, and 72% or 58% in the intravaginal clotrimazole group at the short-term or long-term assessment, respectively. Treatment-related side effects were not found in any group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the treatment of vaginal candidiasis with oral fluconazole is effective and that a single oral fluconazole dose might be one choice in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.