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such as itraconazole, terbinafine, and flu-
conazole are increasingly suggested as alter-
native treatments (1). Only a few studies
have directly compared these newer agents
with griseofulvin. Randomized comparison
studies of griseofulvin versus ketaconazole
have shown ketaconazole to be less effective
in treating tinea capitis (15, 16). Terbina-
fine has been reported to be as effective as
griseofulvin, and a shorter duration of treat-
ment is required with terbinafine (17, 18).
To the best of our knowledge, itraconazole
and fluconazole have not been directly com-
pared with griseo-fulvin. In our study, 97.4%
of patients were cured using griseofulvin,
although two patients had shown in vitro
griseofulvin resistance. The drug was well
tolerated, and no adverse effects were ob-
served. Hence, griseofulvin remains the first
line of therapy, because it is cheap, well tol-
erated, and easily available in our country.
Newer agents should be used only if the pa-
tient does not respond to griseofulvin.
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