Ciclopirox
LOPROX
What it isHydroxypyridone antifungal chelating polyvalent cations; onychomycosis and tinea.
Why this oneTopical, so it avoids the hepatotoxicity and interactions of oral terbinafine or itraconazole.
What limits itCure rates in onychomycosis are low and it takes up to 48 weeks of daily lacquer application.
FDA-approved for
- tinea infections and onychomycosis
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinea (pedis/cruris/corporis), candidiasis, tinea versicolor | Adults | Apply BID (morning and evening) | Apply BID |
Renal Undefined
Hepatic Undefined
Instructions
- Gently massage into affected and surrounding skin BID
- Reassess diagnosis if no improvement after 4 weeks
- Tinea versicolor usually clears after 2 weeks
Cautions
- For external (topical) use only
- Discontinue if sensitization/irritation occurs
Adverse reactions
- Pruritus at application site (rare)
- Worsening of clinical signs/symptoms (rare)
Pregnancy Undefined
Lactation Undefined
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskLow cure rate after 48 weeks of application
Cost, est. cash$5–$150/month
Generic entry2004
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryUnknown / historical label unavailable
Defining liabilityHepatotoxicity and clinically important CYP/QT interactions; organ toxicity varies markedly by agent.
Mechanism of action: Ciclopirox ballicule
