Clinical efficacy of ketoconazole and itraconazole, antifungal azole drugs, was evaluated in the treatment of alimentary tract candidiasis. The presence of Candida fungi was quantitatively determined in the blood, urine and faecal samples. The patients were given ketoconazole (Anpharm) in the dose of 200 mg every 12 hrs for 30 days or itraconazole (Orungal of Cilag-Janssen) in the dose of 100 mg every 12 hrs for 15 days. Follow-up mycological examinations were carried out after 31-60 days in ketoconazole patients and after 16-21 days in itraconazole patients. After the first course of treatment with ketoconazole, cure rate accounted for 10 to 50% whereas with itraconazole: 66.7 to 100%, depending on Candida species. In the next courses all patients not cured after the first course of therapy were treated with itraconazole only. After the 2nd course with itraconazole, cure rate increased to 40-100% and after 3rd course accounted for 100%. No relapses were observed which the fact was confirmed by follow-up examinations of faecal samples on day 30, 60 and 90 after completion of therapy. Side-effects were observed in 33.8% of ketoconazole patients and in as few as 13% of itraconazole patients.

Keywords: Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, treatment, Candidiasis