Ciclopirox

Antifungal, Topical antifungal, Hydroxypyridone

Ciclopirox

Penlac (nail lacquer), Loprox (cream/lotion/shampoo)

Experience

👥 No personal reports yet

⚕ No clinical reports yet

Log in to add your own experience.

Problems

No problems yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a problem

Titration strategies

No titration strategies yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add a titration strategy

Effects

No effects listed yet. Be the first to suggest one.

+ Add an effect

Relevant anecdote

No anecdotes yet. Share a relevant one.

+ Add an anecdote

Relevant Literature

No literature entries yet.

Log in to submit relevant literature.

Summary

Classes

Antifungal, Topical antifungal, Hydroxypyridone

Pharmacy

Starting dose

Topical cream/lotion BID; shampoo twice weekly; nail lacquer (Penlac) once daily for up to 48 weeks

Preparations

0.77% topical cream, lotion, suspension; 1% shampoo; 8% nail lacquer (Penlac)

US FDA Max

BID topical; once daily nail lacquer

Pharmacology

Routes

Topical

Onset

Days for dermatophyte clearance; nail clearance over months

Duration

Hours per application

Half-life

Not meaningfully described (topical local action)

Bioavailability

Topical with minimal systemic absorption

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe (minimal systemic absorption).^{[citation needed]}

Legal status

Rx-only in US

Purported mechanism

Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyridone antifungal with a mechanism distinct from azoles and allylamines; it chelates polyvalent cations (Fe³⁺, Al³⁺), disrupting cofactor-dependent fungal enzymes (cytochromes, catalases, peroxidases) and producing fungicidal activity against dermatophytes, Candida, and Malassezia.▲0▼ Onychomycosis cure rates with nail lacquer are modest (mycologic cure ~30-50%, complete cure ~5-12% at 48 weeks); oral terbinafine remains substantially more effective when systemic therapy is acceptable.