RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Naftifine, an allylamine, is highly effective against tinea pedis and exhibits relatively greater affinity to skin and nail beds, possibly due to its high lipophilicity. To study the efficacy and safety of naftifine 2% gel in an Indian population, a phase III multicentre double-blind, comparative, parallel-group study was conducted in comparison with miconazole 2% gel in patients with interdigital tinea pedis, with mild to moderate symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting with mild to moderate signs and symptoms of interdigital tinea pedis and mycologically confirmed tinea infection were randomised to either naftifine hydrochloride 2% gel (n = 112) or miconazole 2% gel (n = 112) in 1:1 ratio. All patients were treated for 2 weeks with a follow-up of up to 12 weeks. Study evaluations were done at the end of 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving clinical cure at week 6 (± 4 days) and secondary endpoints were the mycological cure at week 6 and week 12 and complete cure at week 12. RESULTS: At the end of week 6, clinical cure was 54.55% and 50.00% in the naftifine and miconazole groups (p = 0.4960), respectively, and it was increased to 78.18% and 76.36% in the naftifine and miconazole group (p = 0.7455) at the end of week 12. Mycological and clinical cure were similar in the naftifine and miconazole groups at week 6 and week 12. The safety and tolerability profiles of both treatments were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Naftifine 2% gel was efficacious and safe for the treatment of mild to moderate interdigital tinea pedis. Its clinical effectiveness was comparable to that of miconazole 2% gel. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2021/01/030753.