Effect of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin on efficacy of oral itraconazole in disseminated murine cryptococcosis

The therapeutic efficacy of itraconazole solubilized in either the commonly used vehicle, polyethylene-glycol-200 (PEG) or hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin was compared in a murine model of disseminated cryptococcosis. Itraconazole at doses of up to 120 mg/kg/day solubilized in PEG were found not to be effective. However, itraconazole at doses ≥30 mg/kg/day solubilized in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin markedly prolonged survival and a relationship between dose and survival was seen