A study on the efficacy and safety of 50% akapulco lotion in the treatment of scabies /
Marie Corinne Concepcion, Liberty C. de Jesus, Cecilia Santos-Acuin
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of 50% Akapulco lotion in the treatment of scabies.
DESIGN: Double blind randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Community Health Centers served by the training institution.
POPULATION: 100 patients wit scabies diagnosed through epidermal scrapings.
METHODS: Block randomization was utilized in assigning the coded test drugs to the subject. One form of test drug was given per family. They were instructed to apply the preparation from the neck down to the feet after taking a warm bath for 3 consecutive nights and wash it off in the morning using one brand of soap. Follow up evaluation was done on a weekly basis for a 4 week trial period. To measure both the clinical and acaricidal effects, the lesions were counted and mapped on the first day, as a baseline and during the succeeding follow up for comparison. The patients were either categorized as completely cured, partially cured or treatment failure. Efficacy rate and benefit rate were measured based on the clinical reduction of lesions. To assess the perceived effect on pruritus, the Visual Analog Scale was used. Frequencies and percentages were computed for each variable. One way ANOVA was used to determine the statistical differences between the different drug treatments.
RESULTS: A total of 100 out of 230 patients screened were included. Thirty nine percent were assigned to the 50% Akapulco lotion, 36% to the Placebo group, and 25% to Crotamiton group. The highest average number of lesions at baseline were noted in those assigned to the crotamiton group (25.6) followed by Akapulco group at 17.5 and 16.0 for placebo group. At the end of trial period, the mean number of lesions for the Akapulco group was reduced to 51%. The Crotamiton group was likewise reduced by 33% while there was an increase in lesions of 25% for Placebo group. The clinical and acaricidal effects were measured on the basis of the definition of compete cure and failure. The efficacy rate for Crotamiton lotion was 36% while Benefit rate was 72%. With 50% Akapulco lotion, efficacy rate was 2.5% and benefit rate was 28%, as compared to those of Placebo which was 0% and 5.5%.
CONCLUSION: The efficacy of 50% Akapulco lotion in the treatment of Scabies showed significant advantage over the Placebo as negative control however inferior to 10% Crotamiton lotion as positive control. No significant adverse effects noted in using the 50% Akapulco lotion and it is generally acceptable to use.
The Filipino Family Physician, 1999 37 (1) pages 3-9