What is Butenafine?

Commonly Used Brand Name(s)Mentax

Therapeutic ClassificationsAntifungal

OverviewTOP

Butenafine is used to treat fungus infections. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth. Butenafine is applied to the skin to treat:

athlete's foot (ringworm of the foot; tinea pedis);
jock itch (ringworm of the groin; tinea cruris);
ringworm of the body (tinea corporis);
fungal infection on the skin of the chest, back and shoulders (tinea versicolor).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Proper UseTOP

Apply enough butenafine to cover the affected skin and surrounding areas, and rub in gently.

After applying butenafine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and mucous membranes such as the inside of the nose, mouth, or vagina.

Do not bandage or apply an occlusive dressing (airtight covering such as kitchen plastic wrap) over this medicine unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using butenafine for the full time of treatment. It may sometimes take quite a while for a fungus infection to be cured. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms will return.

DosingTOP

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For topical dosage form (cream):
- For fungus infections:
  - Adults and teenagers—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once or twice a day, as ordered by your doctor.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed DoseTOP

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Use & StorageTOP

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

There is no specific information comparing use of butenafine in children with use in other age groups.

GeriatricTOP

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of butenafine in the elderly with use in other age groups, clinical studies included older patients. No differences in effects of butenafine were seen in the elderly compared with younger adults.

Drug InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

PrecautionsTOP

If your skin infection does not improve within 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Tinea versicolor may cause skin to appear darker or lighter, or spots of both. These changes in color can last for months even when the fungal infection has been eliminated. Continuing treatment longer than recommended will not cause skin color to return to normal faster. Consult your physician if you believe the fungal infection may have returned.

To help clear up your skin infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, the following good health habits are important:

For patients using butenafine for athlete's foot, these measures will help keep the feet cool and dry:
- Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
- Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat very much.
- Wear well-ventilated shoes (for example, shoes with holes on top or on the side) or sandals.
- Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoes once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
For patients using butenafine for jock itch, these measures will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also keep the groin area cool and dry:
- Carefully dry the groin area after bathing.
- Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
- Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
For patients using butenafine for ringworm of the body, these measures will help keep the affected area cool and dry:
- Carefully dry yourself after bathing.
- Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible. Try to keep moisture from building up on affected areas of the body.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.

Chemical ClassificationsTOP

Benzylamine