Clinical evaluation of carbenoxolone in balanitis.

Balanitis may be due to known bacterial, viral, protozoal, or fungal infection when specific treatment is usually satisfactory; it may be associated with a tight foreskin when irrigation and subsequent circumcision are indicated. Some cases have an allergic basis or may be part of Reiter's syndrome and many more are of unknown aetiology and the customary treatment with topical hydrocortisone preparations has some measure of success. In these forms it is justifiable to try a new therapeutic approach and carbenoxolone sodium was chosen because of its reported favourable effect on ulcers and erosions involving mucous membranes (Avery Jones, 1965; Hunt, 1965; Samuel, 1967). In the present study 2 per cent. carbenoxolone gel was compared with 1 per cent. hydrocortisone cream B.P.C. in a double blind therapeutic trial.