Itraconazole Plasma and Vaginal Mucosal Levels in Patients with Chronic Vaginal Candidosis Treated with Itraconazole 200mg Once Daily for 3 Consecutive Days

20 nonpregnant patients with chronic vaginal candidosis were divided randomly into 5 groups of 4 patients. They all received itraconazole 200mg once daily for 3 consecutive days. A blood sample and vaginal biopsy were obtained 1 hour after each administration as well as 25 and 50 hours after the last drug intake. The results show that the itraconazole levels in the vaginal mucosa are comparable with the corresponding blood levels, but that after the end of treatment, drug levels in the vagina remain elevated for much longer than the corresponding blood levels. These data suggest that a regimen of itraconazole 200mg once daily for 3 days results in therapeutic tissue levels at the site of infection for more than 5 days.