Fluconazole and Boric Acid for Treatment of Vaginal Candidiasis--new Words about Old Issue.

OBJECTIVE To compare boric acid as an effective treatment for VVC compared to fluconazole. We also studied the efficiency of these drugs in preventing recurrence of VVC. DESIGN A cross sectional, randomized, double-blind study. SETTINGS Gynaecology clinic of Imam Reza hospital, Tehran - Iran SUBJECTS Women with signs and symptoms related to Vulvo Vaginal Candidiasis. RESULTS Seventy five patients out of total 150 patients with signs and symptoms related to Vulvo Vaginal Candidiasis were treatedwith boric acidpowder everynight for a week and the remaining 75 patients received Fluconazole. The cure rate in first group was 46.7% but the cure rate in second group was 37.3%. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.3). Difference between the efficacy of the two drugs was not significant either (P=0.47). The recurrence rate among patients in first group was 35% while it was 32% in second group. Their difference was not statistically significant (P=0.54). CONCLUSION According to our findings, treatment of vaginal candidiasis with boric acid is as effective as fluconazole. The availability of boric acid and its relatively low cost suggests it as a safe and effective drug for treatment of candidiasis.