Clotrimazole cream more effective than Tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis: Study

Written By : Dr.Niharika Harsha B |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2020-07-24T21:45:24+05:30 | Updated On 26 Oct 2023 12:21 PM IST

A recent study conducted in Mexico found that topical Clotrimazole cream is more effective than Tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis. The study was published in the journal 'Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology' 2020.

Otomycosis is a common condition encountered in the general Otolaryngology clinic setting. Otomycosis is an infection of the ear canal which is caused by fungi and is prevalent in hot and humid weather. Local debridement, local and systemic antifungal agents and discontinuation of topical antibiotics are the general treatment recommendations.

Still, there is not sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of various available topical antifungal agents. Tolnaftate, is a topical antifungal agent described to be effective in the treatment of otomycosis. Researchers from Mexico conducted an open randomized control trial on 48 to study the efficacy of Tolnaftate and compare it with clotrimazole.

Patients who were diagnosed with fungal external otitis and who were treated with topical antifungals, were randomly divided into two treatment groups called the Clotrimazole cream which had 28 patients and Tolnaftate solution which had 20 patients. They were microscopically evaluated at one and two weeks of treatment to determine the resolution of disease. Collection and analysis of demographic and clinical variables was done.

On comparing the final outcome the following was found:

Spring season was most associated with otomycosis.
Otic manipulation was the risk factor more common in both groups.
Predominant symptoms were itching and otic fullness.
Aspergillus niger organism was most frequently isolated.
Treatment resolution with clotrimazole was 75%, while with tolnaftate it was 45% treatment at one week (p = 0.007).
The Tolnaftate treatment group demonstrated higher recurrence rates and treatment failures of 20% and 15% respectively.

Thus, the authors concluded that Clotrimazole cream treatment is more effective than Tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis. They also added that further studies are needed to corroborate the results.

For further reading, click the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.12.007

OtomycosisTolnaftateClotrimazoleAntifungalsFungal Infection

Source : Brazilian Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyA recent study conducted in Mexico found that topical Clotrimazole cream is more effective than Tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis. The study was published in the journal ‘Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology’. Otomycosis is a common condition encountered in the general Otolaryngology clinic setting. Otomycosis is an infection of the ear canal which is caused by fungi and is prevalent in hot and humid weather. Local debridement, local and systemic antifungal agents and discontinuation of topical antibiotics are the general treatment recommendations. Still, there is not sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of various available topical antifungal agents. Tolnaftate, is a topical antifungal agent described to be effective in the treatment of otomycosis. Researchers from Mexico conducted an open randomized control trial on 48 to study the efficacy of Tolnaftate and compare it with clotrimazole. Patients who were diagnosed with fungal external otitis and who were treated with topical antifungals, were randomly divided into two treatment groups called the Clotrimazole cream which had 28 patients and Tolnaftate solution which had 20 patients. They were microscopically evaluated at one and two weeks of treatment to determine the resolution of disease. Collection and analysis of demographic and clinical variables was done. On comparing the final outcome the following was found: Spring season was most associated with otomycosis. Otic manipulation was the risk factor more common in both groups. Predominant symptoms were itching and otic fullness. Aspergillus niger organism was most frequently isolated. Treatment resolution with clotrimazole was 75% while with tolnaftate it was 45% treatment at one week (p = 0.007). The Tolnaftate treatment group demonstrated higher recurrence rates and treatment failures of 20% and 15% respectively. Thus, the authors concluded that Clotrimazole cream treatment is more effective than Tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis. They also added that further studies are needed to corroborate the results.

Dr.Niharika Harsha B

BDS, MDS

Dr.Niharika Harsha B (BDS,MDS) completed her BDS from Govt Dental College, Hyderabad and MDS from Dr.NTR University of health sciences(Now Kaloji Rao University). She has 4 years of private dental practice and worked for 2 years as Consultant Oral Radiologist at a Dental Imaging Centre in Hyderabad. She worked as Research Assistant and scientific writer in the development of Oral Anti cancer screening device with her seniors. She has a deep intriguing wish in writing highly engaging, captivating and informative medical content for a wider audience. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751