Oxiconazole Nitrate: Pharmacology, Efficacy, And Safety Of A New Imidazole Antifungal Agent

Oxiconazole nitrate (1%) cream was introduced in the U.S. in 1989 for treating fungal infections like tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis with once-daily application. It was effective against various dermatophytes and maintained fungicidal concentrations in the skin for over 16 hours. Clinical trials showed that a 4-week treatment for tinea pedis and a 2-week treatment for other infections resulted in at least 80% cure rates. Oxiconazole was as effective as or more effective than other antifungal creams like miconazole and clotrimazole, with similar tolerability and better irritation profile compared to econazole. It had negligible systemic absorption, making it suitable for patients with compliance issues.