On the action kinetics of clotrimazole

The introduction of clotrimazole into the therapy of vaginal Candida and Torulopsis infections has significantly shortened the previously customary duration of treatment and reduced the frequency of dosage of the active ingredient. This simplification of therapy was based on the highly favorable antimycotic properties of clotrimazole. Since compliance problems arose among patients nevertheless, it was desired to shorten the length of treatment even further. This led us to carry out extensive studies on the basis, mechanisms and kinetics of the antimycotic action of azoles so that possibilities and limits to further reductions of the duration of treatment might be ascertained. The data presented below on the structure/activity relationships, mechanism of action, MIC values under special test conditions, fungicidal action, and active ingredient release in vitro and in vivo made it possible to propose a 1-day treatment for vaginal mycoses.