Oxiconazole (nitrate) (Synonyms: Ro 13-8996)

Oxiconazole is a new imidazole derivative with a broad fungistatic spectrum against the agents of human mycoses in vitro. Subinhibitory concentrations of oxiconazole inhibited synthesis of DNA and decreased synthesis of RNA, protein and carbohydrate to a lesser extent. In trichophytosis in the guinea-pig and vaginal candidiasis in the rat, oxiconazole exhibited high topical activity. In dermal infection with T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum, systemic histoplasmosis, oxiconazole showed systemic oral activity. Oxiconazole was inactive in cryptococcosis and aspergillosis in the mouse [1].

In vitro: oxiconazole is highly effective against many dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Epidermophyton floccosum. After application to the skin, oxiconazole is rapidly absorbed into the stratum corneum, maximum concentrations often being attained within 100 minutes. Fungicidal concentrations are maintained in the epidermis, upper corium, and deeper corium for at least five hours, and levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentrations of susceptible fungi are present in the corneum, epidermis, upper corium, and the hair follicle for over 16 hours [2].

In patients with tinea pedis treated once daily for four weeks and patients with inea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea versicolor treated once daily for two weeks, 1% oxiconazole cream produced mycologic and clinical cures in at least 80% of patients. In plantar-type tinea pedis caused primarily by T rubrum, once-daily oxiconazole cream resulted in a mycologic cure in 76% of patients [2].

References:
[1] Polak A.  Oxiconazole, a new imidazole derivative. Evaluation of antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo[J]. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1981, 32(1): 17-24.
[2] Jegasothy B V, Pakes G E.  Oxiconazole nitrate: pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of a new imidazole antifungal agent[J]. Clinical therapeutics, 1990, 13(1): 126-141.