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ciclopirox
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, Seborrheic Dermatitis
Used for Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ciclopirox is an antifungal medication that treats different fungal infections on your skin, scalp, or nails. It comes in several forms, like a cream, gel, shampoo, suspension, or solution (nail lacquer). You apply it directly to the infected area, and the dose depends on what you’re treating. Side effects include skin irritation, burning, or itching at the application site.
What is Ciclopirox?
What is Ciclopirox used for?
- Jock itch
- Athlete's foot
- Ringworm
- Tinea versicolor (patchy skin rash)
- Yeast infections of the skin
- Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp - shampoo and gel only
- Fungal nail infection - nail lacquer only
How Ciclopirox works
Ciclopirox is an antifungal. It works by blocking certain metals that fungi need to survive. When these metals are blocked, the fungus can’t use important enzymes (proteins) that break down harmful substances inside its cells. This helps stop the fungus from growing and spreading.
When does Ciclopirox start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Loprox |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Ciclopirox
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Redness or irritation at the site of application
- Burning or itching
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry skin
- Rash
- Acne
- Changes to nail shape or color - nail lacquer only
- Hair discoloration - shampoo only
When do Ciclopirox possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Skin redness
Burning or stinging
Itching
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Ciclopirox side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in nail shape, thickness, or color
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
Get your GoodRx coupon
$30.78
GoodRx discount
$14.00
Pros and cons of Ciclopirox
Pros
- Available in several forms for different areas of the body
- Treats a variety of fungal infections
- Easy to use and can be applied right where you need it
Cons
- Not for use in young children
- Can take weeks to months to fully clear the infection
- Not a good choice for serious or complicated fungal infections
Pharmacist tips for Ciclopirox
- Make sure you keep using ciclopirox or as long as your prescriber tells you. If you stop too early, the infection can come back.
- It can take weeks or months before you notice improvement with ciclopirox. Check in with your prescriber about how your symptoms are changing during treatment.
- Avoid putting bandages or other dressings over the treated area because they can affect how ciclopirox works.
- Let your prescriber know if the area where you apply ciclopirox becomes more irritated, such as increased redness, itching, burning, blisters, swelling, or oozing. These symptoms might mean you’re sensitive to the medication.
- If you're using ciclopirox to treat athlete's foot, keep your feet clean and dry, and wear loose-fitting shoes that allow air to flow. This will help the infection clear faster.
- Even though ciclopirox treats tinea versicolor within a few weeks, your skin color might take months to return to normal after treatment.
- If you're using ciclopirox suspension, shake the bottle well before each use.
More tips for the shampoo:
- Wash your hair with ciclopirox shampoo two times each week for 4 weeks, keeping at least three days between each use.
- Avoid getting the shampoo in your eyes. If it gets in your eyes, rinse them well with water.
More tips for the nail lacquer:
- Apply ciclopirox nail lacquer once a day at bedtime to all affected nails. Cover the entire nail, the underside when possible, and the skin beneath it, then let it dry for about 30 seconds before putting on socks.
- Wait 8 hours before taking a bath or shower so that the medication can fully get into your nail.
- Apply the nail lacquer daily over the previous coat. Once a week, remove it with alcohol and trim away as much damaged nail as you can with scissors, clippers, or a nail file.
- Don’t use nail polish or other nail products while using the medication to treat your nail infection.
Risks and warnings for Ciclopirox
Ciclopirox can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Skin irritation
It's common for ciclopirox to cause some mild redness, burning, or stinging. But if you notice more severe symptoms like blistering, oozing, and swelling, stop using the medication and contact your prescriber.
Ciclopirox dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 6.6ml of 8% of Ciclopirox is $21.17 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 85.80% off the average retail price of $149.08. 
Bottle of shampoo
Bottle of suspension
Bottle of topical solution
Bottle of shampoo| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120ml of 1% | 1 bottle | $29.12 | $29.12 |
Bottle of suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60ml of 0.77% | 1 bottle | $37.13 | $37.13 |
| 30ml of 0.77% | 1 bottle | $22.72 | $22.72 |
Bottle of topical solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6ml of 8% | 1 bottle | $21.17 | $21.17 |
Typical dosage for Ciclopirox
- Cream (age 10 and older), gel (age 16 and older), and suspension (age 10 and older): Gently massage a thin layer into the affected area(s) and skin around it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Shampoo (age 16 and older): Wet your hair, then apply about 5 mL to 10 mL of shampoo to your scalp. Massage it in, leave it on for 3 minutes, then rinse well. Use it two times a week for 4 weeks, with at least 3 days between uses.
- Nail lacquer (age 12 and older): Apply once a day at bedtime to all affected nails using the provided applicator brush. Put the new coat on top of the old one each day. Remove all the layers once a week using rubbing alcohol.
How much does Ciclopirox cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Ciclopirox?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ciclopirox. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Ciclopirox images
