Topical antifungals

What are Topical antifungals?

Topical antifungals are products that treat fungal infections and which are applied directly to the skin, nails, or hair; vaginally; or inside the mouth. They are available as creams, gels, lotions, nail lacquers, ointments, powders, shampoos, sprays, and tinctures.

Fungal infections are caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, or molds.

There are about 40 different species of dermatophyte, and they obtain their nutrients from keratinized material, so typically are the organisms responsible for fungal infections of the skin, scalp or nails.

Yeasts are normal inhabitants of our skin but sometimes they grow unheeded which can result in symptomatic infections. Molds are an uncommon cause of fungal infections but they can cause tinea nigra (painless brown or black patches on the skin) or hard-to-treat nail infections.

Most antifungal agents treat both dermatophyte and yeast infections; however, some, such as nystatin, are not suitable for dermatophyte fungal infections.

What are topical antifungals used for?

Topical antifungals may be used to treat fungal infections of the skin, scalp, mucous membranes, nails, and vagina. Examples of infections that topical antifungals may treat include:

  • Candida infections
  • Nail infections
  • Pityriasis versicolor (causes flaky, discolored patches of skin)
  • Tinea barbae (fungal infection of the beard and mustache area)
  • Tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp)
  • Tinea corporis (ringworm)
  • Tinea cruris (jock itch)
  • Tinea faciei (facial fungal infection)
  • Tinea manuum (fungal infection of the hands)
  • Tinea nigra
  • Tinea pedis (fungal infection of the foot).

Other fungal infections not listed here may also be treated with topical antifungals.

What are the differences between topical antifungals?

Antifungal agents may be classified into a number of different types, depending on their structure and the way that they work. Many topical antifungals work by inhibiting production of ergosterol, a fundamental component of the fungal cell membrane and wall.

Note that only the antifungals that are available topically are listed here.

Azole antifungals

Azole antifungals are further classified into imidazoles and triazoles. Although all azoles work in the same way (by inhibiting an enzyme that converts lanosterol into ergosterol), there are differences in the spectrum of activity between imidazoles and triazoles.

Azole antifungals are metabolized through cytochrome p450 liver enzymes and are particularly susceptible to clinically-significant drug interactions with other medications metabolized through the same pathway, although this tends to only apply to topical products used inside the mouth, such as miconazole oral gel.

Generic name Brand name examples
Imidazoles
clotrimazole FungiCURE, Lotrimin
econazole Ecoza, Spectazole
ketoconazole Nizoral topical
miconazole Azolen, Zeasorb
miconazole/zinc oxide Rash Relief Antifungal, Vusion
oxiconazole Oxistat
sertaconazole Ertaczo
tioconazole 1-day, Vagistat-1
Triazoles
efinaconazole Jublia

Polyene antifungals

Polyenes work by binding to ergosterol, disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell membrane. Nystatin is the only polyene antifungal available topically. Note that nystatin is not effective against dermatophyte infections but can be used to treat Candida infections.

Generic name Brand name examples
nystatin Mycostatin topical, Nyamyc

Allylamine antifungals

Allylamines work in a similar way to azoles but have their effect earlier on in the ergosterol synthesis pathway. They inhibit the enzyme squalene epoxidase which converts squalene into ergosterol, disrupting synthesis of the fungal cell wall.

Terbinafine is also metabolized by cytochrome p450 liver enzymes and is particularly susceptible to clinically-significant drug interactions with other medications metabolized through this pathway, although this tends not to apply to topical products.

Generic name Brand name examples
amorolfin Not available in the U.S.
naftifine Naftin
terbinafine Lamisil

Other antifungals

Several other topical antifungals are available. Their mechanism of action differs to the antifungals listed above.

Generic name Brand name examples
Benzoic acid and salicylic acid Bensal HP
ciclopirox Ciclodan, Loprox
tavaborole Kerydin
tolnaftate Tinactin
undecylenic acid Blis-To-Sol, Protectol

Are topical antifungals safe?

Topical antifungals are considered safe when used exactly as directed according to the product label. However, certain topical antifungals have been associated with serious side effects, for example:

  • Miconazole oral gel: Should not be used in infants with an impaired swallowing reflex or in preterm infants in their first six months of life, or in babies less than four months old, because of the potential for airway obstruction
  • Miconazole oral gel: May also cause clinically significant interactions with medicines (such as warfarin) metabolized through the same liver pathway because miconazole oral gel is absorbed through the mouth.

For a complete list of severe side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs.

What are the side effects of topical antifungals?

Not everybody will experience side effects from topical antifungals. Some of the more commonly reported side effects include:

  • Burning or stinging
  • Rash
  • Sensitivity reactions
  • Skin irritation (redness, peeling, swelling).

Some vaginal topical antifungal preparations have been associated with burning, cramping, itching, pain, and bleeding.

For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs.

List drug with Topical antifungals

Drug Name
Absorbine Athletes Foot
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Absorbine Jr. Antifungal
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Aftate
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Aloe Vesta 2-N-1 Antifungal
Generic name: Miconazole
Aloe Vesta Antifungal
Generic name: Miconazole
Athlete's Foot Cream
Generic name: Terbinafine Topical
Azolen
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Clarus Antifungal
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Clioquinol
Generic name: Clioquinol
CNL8
Generic name: Ciclopirox
CNL8 Nail
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
Critic-Aid Clear AF
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Cruex
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid
Cruex Prescription Strength
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Myco Nail A
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Mycocide NS
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Mycostatin
Generic name: Nystatin
Mycostatin Topical
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Baza Antifungal
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Blis-To-Sol
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Blis-To-Sol (Tolnaftate Topical)
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Blis-To-Sol (Undecylenic acid Topical)
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid
Blis-To-Sol Powder
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Butenafine
Generic name: Butenafine
Butenafine topical
Generic name: Butenafine Topical
Caldesene
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid
Ciclopirox
Generic name: Ciclopirox
Ciclopirox topical
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
DermaFungal
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Dermagran AF
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Dermasept Antifungal
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Desenex Foot
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Desenex Jock Itch
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Econazole
Generic name: Econazole
Econazole Nitrate
Generic name: Econazole Topical
Econazole topical
Generic name: Econazole Topical
Ecoza
Generic name: Econazole Topical
Efinaconazole
Generic name: Efinaconazole
Efinaconazole topical
Generic name: Efinaconazole Topical
Elon Dual Defense Anti-Fungal Formula
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Ertaczo
Generic name: Sertaconazole Topical
Exelderm
Generic name: Sulconazole Topical
Exoderm
Generic name: Salicylic Acid And Sodium Thiosulfate Topical
Extina
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
Fungi-Guard
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Fungi-Nail
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Fungi-Nail Pen
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Fungicure
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Fungoid
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Jublia
Generic name: Efinaconazole Topical
Kerydin
Generic name: Tavaborole Topical
Ketoconazole topical
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
Ketodan
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
Ketodan Kit
Generic name: Ketoconazole
Kuric
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
LamISIL (Terbinafine Topical)
Generic name: Terbinafine
Lamisil AT
Generic name: Terbinafine Topical
LamISIL Defense
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Loprox
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
Loprox TS
Generic name: Ciclopirox
Lotrimin
Generic name: Clotrimazole
Lotrimin AF
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Lotrimin AF (Clotrimazole Topical)
Generic name: Clotrimazole
Lotrimin AF (Miconazole Topical)
Generic name: Miconazole
Lotrimin AF Cream
Generic name: Clotrimazole Topical
Lotrimin AF Deodorant Powder Spray
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Lotrimin AF For Her
Generic name: Clotrimazole Topical
Lotrimin AF Jock Itch
Generic name: Clotrimazole Topical
Lotrimin AF Powder Spray
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Luliconazole
Generic name: Luliconazole
Luliconazole topical
Generic name: Luliconazole Topical
Luzu
Generic name: Luliconazole Topical
Mentax
Generic name: Butenafine Topical
Micaderm
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Micatin
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Miconazole and zinc oxide topical
Generic name: Miconazole And Zinc Oxide Topical
Miconazole, zinc oxide, and white petrolatum
Generic name: Miconazole, Zinc Oxide, And White Petrolatum
Micro-Guard
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Mitrazol
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Monistat Derm
Generic name: Miconazole
Naftifine
Generic name: Naftifine
Naftifine topical
Generic name: Naftifine Topical
Naftin
Generic name: Naftifine Topical
Naftin-MP
Generic name: Naftifine
Nizoral (Ketoconazole Topical)
Generic name: Ketoconazole
Nizoral A-D
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
Nizoral Topical
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
NuZole
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Nyamyc
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Nystatin (Vaginal)
Generic name: Nystatin
Nystatin topical
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Nystop
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Odor-Eaters
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Ony-Clear
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Oxiconazole
Generic name: Oxiconazole
Oxiconazole topical
Generic name: Oxiconazole Topical
Oxistat
Generic name: Oxiconazole Topical
Pedi-Dri
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Pediaderm AF
Generic name: Nystatin Topical
Pedipirox-4
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
Penlac
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
Penlac Nail Lacquer
Generic name: Ciclopirox Topical
Podactin
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Q-Naftate
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Rash Relief Antifungal
Generic name: Miconazole And Zinc Oxide Topical
Remedy Antifungal with Olivamine
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Salicylic acid and sodium thiosulfate topical
Generic name: Salicylic Acid And Sodium Thiosulfate Topical
Secura Antifungal
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Secura Antifungal Extra Thick
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Sertaconazole
Generic name: Sertaconazole
Sertaconazole topical
Generic name: Sertaconazole Topical
Silka Antifungal
Generic name: Terbinafine Topical
Spectazole
Generic name: Econazole
Sulconazole
Generic name: Sulconazole
Sulconazole topical
Generic name: Sulconazole Topical
Tavaborole
Generic name: Tavaborole
Tavaborole topical
Generic name: Tavaborole Topical
Terbinafine topical
Generic name: Terbinafine Topical
Tetterine
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Tinactin
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Tinaderm
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Tinaspore
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Ting
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Tolnaftate
Generic name: Tolnaftate
Tolnaftate topical
Generic name: Tolnaftate Topical
Triple Paste AF
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Undecylenic acid
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid
Undecylenic acid topical
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Undelenic
Generic name: Undecylenic Acid Topical
Versiclear
Generic name: Salicylic Acid And Sodium Thiosulfate Topical
Vusion
Generic name: Miconazole And Zinc Oxide Topical
Xolegel
Generic name: Ketoconazole Topical
Zeasorb-AF
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Zeasorb-AF Drying Gel
Generic name: Miconazole Topical
Zeasorb-AF Jock Itch
Generic name: Miconazole Topical

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