Small-dose itraconazole pulse therapy in the treatment of onychomycosis

The aim was to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of a short-schedule treatment regimen using a small dose of itraconazole in pulse intermittently. The open study evaluated the pulse therapy consisting of monthly 1-week cycles of oral itraconazole 200 mg daily for 2-3 consecutive months in 42 patients with onychomycosis. After active therapy, patients were evaluated for a maximum period of 1 year. Twelve of 42 patients were considered as being clinically cured, 17 were markedly improved, 11 were improved and two were failures. A mycological examination at the final visit was performed on all patients. Thirty-five were negative and seven were positive. This short treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse reactions, and may offer a new option for treatment of onychomycosis.