Does naftifine have anti-inflammatory properties? A double-blind comparative study with 1% clotrimazole/1% hydrocortisone in clinically diagnosed fungal infection of the skin

In a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel group study in general practice, 269 patients with clinically diagnosed fungal infection of the skin were treated with either naftifine (Exoderil®) or 1% clotrimazole plus 1% hydrocortisone (CHC; Canesten HC®) applied twice daily for 4 weeks. Only 115 patients were shown subsequently to have a fungal infection by laboratory tests; the others had inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. In those with fungal disease, both treatments were equally effective in terms of mycological cure (negative microscopy and culture). Clinical results for all 265 patients showed no clinically identifiable difference between the two preparations in terms of resolution of the disease, indicating that naftifine does have anti-inflammatory activity at least equal to CHC. This study suggests that there is no clinical advantage in treating patients with clinically diagnosed fungal infection of the skin with an antimycotic/corticosteroid combination as opposed to naftifine alone.