OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiology, mycology, clinical features and diagnosis, current pharmacotherapy, and pharmacoeconomics of @entity6313 . DATA SOURCES: We conducted a MEDLINE search from 1966 to May 1997. References from these articles, manufacturers of the discussed antimycotics, and relevant abstracts from recent dermatology conferences were used to collect pertinent data. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were obtained from published controlled studies and case reports. In the pharmacotherapy section, the most weight was placed on fully reported, randomized, controlled comparative trials, but abstracts and case series were included when well-controlled studies were unavailable. DATA SYNTHESIS: @entity6313 is a common nail disorder that has a substantial impact on @entity1 ' quality of life. It is most commonly caused by dermatophytes, but @entity375 and molds can also be involved. Diagnosis is made through clinical presentation, @entity4014 preparations, and culture of tissue/nail samples. @entity3101 was the drug of choice for many years, but its low cure rates and the development of newer, more effective drugs made it fall out of favor. Current therapeutic alternatives include @entity2380 , @entity2059 , and @entity8974 . Data on the use of @entity2380 are limited to case series and reports. Continuous dosing of @entity2059 and @entity8974 are well-proven therapies. New data are becoming available on the use of pulse @entity2059 dosing, which has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for fingernail @entity281 . These drugs are well tolerated, but attention to drug interactions is necessary with the @entity8201 . CONCLUSIONS: Currently, continuous @entity8974 appears to be the most cost-effective drug for dermatophyte @entity6313 .

Current issues in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity8974 :: ('MESH:C041359', 'Chemical') :: ['terbinafine'] @entity3101 :: ('MESH:D006118', 'Chemical') :: ['Griseofulvin'] @entity4014 :: ('MESH:C029943', 'Chemical') :: ['potassium hydroxide'] @entity2380 :: ('MESH:D015725', 'Chemical') :: ['fluconazole'] @entity6313 :: ('MESH:D014009', 'Disease') :: ['Onychomycosis', 'onychomycosis'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infections'] @entity375 :: ('4932', 'Species') :: ['yeasts'] @entity8201 :: ('MESH:D001393', 'Chemical') :: ['azoles'] @entity2059 :: ('MESH:D017964', 'Chemical') :: ['itraconazole']
@entity6313 :: (MESH:D014009,Disease) :: ['onychomycosis']
