Ciclopirox

LOPROX

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Pronunciation: sye-kloe-PEER-ox

Ciclopirox ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Ciclopirox ballicule

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.

Ciclopirox molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Ciclopirox

Ciclopirox prescription history

Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Antifungals (1947–2026). Ciclopirox enters in 1982 (estimated).

FDA-approved for

tinea infections and onychomycosis

Principal riskLow cure rate after 48 weeks of application

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden1 / 4

Overdose danger2 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk1 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryUnknown / historical label unavailable

Defining liabilityHepatotoxicity and clinically important CYP/QT interactions; organ toxicity varies markedly by agent.

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

NO BOXED WARNINGS

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

Available strengths

susp 0.77 %
cream 0.77 %
shampoo 1 %
sol 8 %
gel 0.77 %

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

Cost

Ciclopirox (LOPROX)

Strength		#/mo	CostPlus
0.77 %	susp	per unit	not offered
0.77 %	cream	per unit	not offered
1 %	shampoo	per unit	not offered

NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. Ciclopirox is dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.

Generic entry2004

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Self-check

How long can daily ciclopirox nail lacquer treatment take?
Up to 48 weeks.
How successful are onychomycosis cure rates with ciclopirox?
Low.