An open clinical trial with 2% miconazole plus 1% hydrocortisone ointment in the treatment of eczematous lesions.

An open, multi-centre study was carried out to assess the efficacy and acceptability of an ointment formulation of 2% miconazole and 1% hydrocortisone ('Daktacort') in 73 patients with eczematous lesions, with or without bacterial superinfection. Patients were instructed to apply the ointment to the lesions morning and evening for 14 days; those with residual lesions were asked to continue treatment for a further 14 days. Assessments of the severity of the patients' symptoms were made by investigators before and after 7 and 14 days of treatment, and a global evaluation of response was made at the end of the treatment period. Patients kept a daily diary for 14 days in which they recorded the severity of their symptoms, acceptability of the ointment and details of any problems associated with treatment. Investigator rating of pruritus, weeping/bleeding, scaling, crusting, erythema, excoriation and burning/pain showed a significant improvement in these symptoms after 7 days and global assessment showed 85% of patients had responded after 14 days of treatment. Patient assessment using a diary card confirmed this improvement, and 96% found the ointment to be an acceptable form of treatment.