Comparative clinical efficacy of shampoos containing ciclopirox olamine (1.5%) or ketoconazole (2%; Nizoral®) for the control of dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis

The efficacy and acceptability of ciclopirox olamine (1.5%) and ketoconazole (2%; Nizoral®) shampoos were compared in ‘half-head’ (30 subjects with mild dandruff) and in controlled ‘whole-head’ (163 subjects with moderate to severe dandruff and/or seborrhoeic dermatitis) studies. Shampooing was twice weekly. In both studies, an unmedicated shampoo was used during a 2-3 week run-in period, followed by a 4-week double-blind, randomized treatment period. There was a 2-week unmedicated shampoo follow-up period in the whole-head study. A technician assessed the extent and severity of dandruff, the degree of redness and of scaling due to seborrhoeic dermatitis and the area affected, and made a global efficacy evaluation. Subjects self-assessed dandruff, overall scalp itching, itching of the area affected with seborrhoeic dermatitis and dryness/greasiness of their hair, and gave an overall opinion of treatment. The half-head study showed that both medicated shampoos significantly reduced dandruff and scalp itchi...