Single-dose systemic oral fluconazole for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

Objectives: To evaluate the acceptance of fluconazole given in a single oral dose, for the safe, effective treatment of vaginal candidiasis. Methods: A total of 428 patients who had a first or recurrent episode of vaginal candidiasis diagnosed clinically or by culture, were offered treatment with fluconazole by 40 primary care gynecologists who were unfamiliar with fluconazole treatment of vaginal candidiasis. The efficacy of this treatment was evaluated by both physicians and patients. Results: Most of the physicians (72%) and most of the patients (69%) found the drug effective in relieving or at least alleviating the signs and symptoms of the disease. The majority of patients (83.5%) rated it better than other drugs they had received for vaginitis in the past. No recurrences were noted at the 6-week follow-up. Conclusions: Fluconazole has been found effective by physicians and patients. Both physician willingness to use it and patient compliance are satisfactory.