Abstract

LULICONAZOLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Manoj Digambar Ingole*, Nitin Namdev Fating and Unnati T. Rathod

Abstract

Luliconazoleis an imidazole antifungal agent with a uniquestructure, as the imidazole moiety is incorporated into the ketene dithioacetate structure. Luliconazole is the R-enantiomer, and has more potent antifungal activity than lanoconazole. In this review, we summarize the in vitro data, animal studies, and clinical trial data relating to the use of topical luliconazole. Luliconazole is a novel imidazole derivative, which has demonstrated in vitro efficacy against dermatophytes and Candida albicans. Preclinical studies have showed the excellent activity of luliconazole against dermatophytes and luliconazole shows the activity against Candida albicans. As per the clinical study luliconazole has strong antifungal activity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties in the skin. Clinical trials have demonstrated its superiority over placebo in dermatophytosis and its antifungal activity is better than terbinafine. A Phase I/II a study has shown excellent local tolerability and a lack of systemic side effects with use of topical luliconazole solution for onychomycosis. The Phase III study had shownthat luliconazole 1% cream also produced favourable clinical and mycological results in clinical trials for tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Luliconazole 1% cream was approved in Japan in 2005 for the treatment of tinea infections. Luliconazole is approved in the United States as a 1% topical cream for tinea corporis, tinea pedis and tinea cruris caused by T. rubrum. Topical luliconazole has a favourable safety profile, with only mild application site reactions reported occasionally. From this review article we concludeLuliconazole has more potent antifungal activity than Lanoconazole and Topical luliconazole has a favourable safety profile which shows anti dermatophyte activity and Effective therapy for the management of tinea corporis, tinea pedis and tinea crusis.

Keywords: Luliconazole, dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, clinical trials, review, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, topical luliconazole, antifungal agent, fungal infection.