Once-daily luliconazole cream 1% for the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis

Abstract

Luliconazole is an imidazole antifungal agent with a unique chemical structure. In this article, we summarize the in vitro data, animal studies and clinical trial data relating to the use of topical luliconazole cream 1% in the treatment of tinea pedis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated potent activity against dermatophytes. Luliconazole has strong fungicidal activity against Trichophyton spp., similar to that seen with terbinafine. Evidence from clinical trials in tinea pedis have shown once-daily application of luliconazole cream 1% for 14 days to be effective and well tolerated.

Keywords:

• efficacy
• interdigital tinea pedis
• luliconazole
• once-daily
• safety
• short-course therapy

Financial & competing interests disclosure

J Olin is an employee of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. The authors acknowledge Brian Bulley, MSc, of Inergy Limited for medical writing support. Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC funded Inergy’s activities pertaining to this manuscript.

Key issues

• Tinea pedis is the second most common skin disease after acne.

• Relapse is common, mainly due to poor compliance.

• There is a significant need for effective short-course therapy that is well tolerated.

• Evidence suggests that in vitro antifungal activity of luliconazole is greater than existing topical antifungals.

• In vivo activity is comparable to terbinafine, with no evidence of relapse.

• Clinical studies in tinea pedis show luliconazole cream 1% is significantly more effective than vehicle and equally well tolerated.

• Once-daily treatment of tinea pedis with luliconazole cream 1% for 2 weeks appears optimal.