diflucortolone and Inflammation

Dermatomycoses are contagious superficial fungal infections, which are highly prevalent in developed and developing countries. Caused by a range of Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton species, dermatomycoses manifest on glabrous skin as 'ringworm', an annular scaly lesion with a variable inflammatory component. Itch is the chief subjective symptom, particularly in tinea cruris. Unless lesions are extensive or resistant to local therapy, dermatomycoses of glabrous skin are treated with topical antifungal agents, such as imidazoles and allylamines. Studies show, however, that the addition of a topical corticosteroid to imidazole therapy increases the bioavailability and prolongs the activity of the antimycotic, while rapidly reducing inflammatory symptoms. Travocort is a combination of 1% isoconazole nitrate (ISN), a broad-spectrum imidazole with established antimicrobial activity and antimycotic efficacy, and 0.1% diflucortolone valerate (DFV), a potent topical corticosteroid with low systemic absorption and therefore a low risk of systemic glucocorticoid side-effects. In randomised, double-blind controlled clinical trials, Travocort therapy showed a more rapid onset of action, faster relief of itch and other inflammatory symptoms, improved overall therapeutic benefits and better mycological cure rate during the first 2 weeks of treatment compared with ISN monotherapy. Travocort is well tolerated and, because of prolonged ISN retention in the skin, provides antifungal protection against reinfection for some weeks after therapy.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antifungal Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Dermatomycoses; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Humans; Inflammation; Miconazole; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tinea; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dermatomycoses; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Female; Fluocortolone; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Imidazoles; Inflammation; Male; Miconazole; Middle Aged

A warm and moist environment is a common risk factor for erythrasma, a condition characterized by pruritic, scaly and erythematous tan patches on the skin. Here we report on a 13-year-old athletic student presenting with pruritus and mild burning on her left medial thigh, and subsequently diagnosed with erythrasma. The patient was successfully treated with a 5-day regimen of Travocort cream containing isoconazole nitrate 1% and diflucortolone valerate 0.1%.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antifungal Agents; Diflucortolone; Drug Combinations; Erythrasma; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Miconazole; Pruritus; Thigh; Treatment Outcome

The local anti-inflammatory activity and systemic side effects of NM-135 (6alpha,9-difluoro-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methyl-21[[2 ,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-(4-methylbenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-pregna-1, 4-diene-3,20-dione) in croton oil-induced granuloma pouches and ear edema in rats were studied. The local anti-inflammatory activity of NM-135 was stronger than that of betamethasone 17-valerate (BV). As to systemic side effects, BV and diflucortolon valerate (DFV) caused thymolysis at the doses required for the anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, no clear systemic side effect was observed in rats administered NM-135 at the dose producing the anti-inflammatory activity. These results suggest that NM-135 is a drug exhibiting a high degree of dissociation between the local anti-inflammatory activity and systemic side effects.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Atrophy; Betamethasone Valerate; Croton Oil; Diflucortolone; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ear; Edema; Exudates and Transudates; Glucocorticoids; Granuloma; Inflammation; Male; Organ Size; Pregnanediones; Prodrugs; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Thymus Gland