Oropharyngeal candidiasis treated with a troche form of clotrimazole

Abstract

A randomized double-blind trial was conducted to assess the local effectiveness and safety of a troche form of clotrimazole in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in cancer patients. One half of the patients received one 10-mg troche and the other received one 50-mg troche, 5 times a day for 2 wk. Clinical cures were observed in 50 episodes, resulting in a cure rate of 96%. The median duration of oropharyngeal candidiasis after the start of therapy was 3 days in those treated with the 50-mg troche and 4 days in those who received the 10-mg troche. Side effects were minimal and only 1 patient experienced nausea and abdominal pain. The 10-mg and 50-mg troches appear to be efficacious and safe, but the 50-mg dose may be preferable because it is somewhat more effective without additional toxicity.