A comparison between the effectiveness of erythromycin, single-dose clarithromycin and topical fusidic acid in the treatment of erythrasma

Abstract

Although erythrasma is a superficial skin infection, there is no consensus on the treatment model of erythrasma. Objective: To compare the efficacy of erythromycin, single-dose clarithromycin and topical fusidic acid in the treatment of erythrasma in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Methods: Hundred and fifty-one patients over 18 years of age were included in this study. Patients were randomized and divided into five groups. They received clarithromycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid cream, placebo cream or placebo tablets. Patients were evaluated by Wood's light reflection scores and the initial score values and the values on the days of 2, 7 and 14 were compared statistically. Results: According to the mean of Wood's light reflection scores, the efficacy of fusidic acid cream therapy was significantly higher than other therapies. When the efficacy of clarithromycin and erythromycin therapy was compared, clarithromycin therapy was significantly more effective than erythromycin therapy at 48 h. However, there was no statistical difference on the days of 7 and 14. Conclusion: Topical fusidic acid proved to be the most effective treatment; however, clarithromycin therapy may be an alternative regimen in the treatment of erythrasma because of its efficiency and better patient's compliance.

Key words::

• clarithromycin
• erythrasma
• erythromycin
• fusidic acid

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank to the following companies for their support on providing erythromycin, clarithromycin and placebo tablets and fusidic acid, placebo cream preparations: Kocak Pharmaceutical Company, Mustafa Nevzat Pharmaceutical Company, Bilim Pharmaceutical Company, Abdi Ibrahim Pharmaceutical Company and Schering Pharmaceutical Company.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.