Oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients with AIDS: randomized comparison of fluconazole versus nystatin oral suspensions

Clin Infect Dis. 1997 Jun;24(6):1204-7. doi: 10.1086/513664.

Abstract

A total of 167 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis were randomly assigned to receive 14 days of therapy with liquid suspension fluconazole (100 mg once daily) or liquid nystatin (500,000 U four times daily). At day 14, 87% of the fluconazole-treated patients were clinically cured, as opposed to 52% in the nystatin-treated group (P < .001). Fluconazole eradicated Candida organisms from the oral flora in 60%, vs. a 6% eradication rate with nystatin (P < .001). The fluconazole group had fewer relapses noted on day 28 (18%, vs. 44% in the nystatin group; P < .001). This relapse difference no longer existed by day 42. Fluconazole oral suspension as a systemic therapy was more effective than liquid nystatin as a topical therapy in the treatment of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected patients and provided a longer disease-free interval before relapse.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candidiasis, Oral / drug therapy*
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Nystatin / therapeutic use*
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Suspensions

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Suspensions
  • Nystatin
  • Fluconazole