Jublia: Topical Treatment for Nail Fungus

Have you noticed any changes in your toenails? If so, there are a number of reasons why this might be happening. While some nail changes are normal, they can also be a symptom of a fungal infection.

Fungal toenail infections are actually quite common. Fortunately, medications are available to treat them. Depending on how much of your nail is involved, a topical medication may be an option. And Jublia (efinaconazole) is one your healthcare provider may consider.

What is toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus is an infection that can be caused by many types of fungi. It affects your toenail and the areas surrounding it.

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If you have toenail fungus, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Thicker toenails

• Changes in nail color, such as yellow, brown, or white 

• Changes in how your nail feels, such as soft, dry, or chalky

• Loose or lifted nails 

• Brittle, crumbly, or ragged nails

This type of infection can be very difficult to get rid of. In some cases, you may need to take an oral medication to treat it. In others, a topical medication like Jublia may be enough to do the trick.

What is Jublia?

Jublia is a topical antifungal medication. It’s approved to treat fungal toenail infections caused by two different types of fungi.

Jublia is only available as a brand-name prescription medication. It comes in two sizes: 4 mL and 8 mL bottles. Each bottle contains 10% efinaconazole solution. It also contains alcohol, so it’s important to keep the medication away from heat and open flames.

How does Jublia work?

Jublia is an azole antifungal. It works by blocking an enzyme (protein) needed for the fungus to make its protective outer covering (cell wall). This makes the cell wall weaker and prevents the fungus from growing.

Jublia topical solution is applied to the affected areas once daily for 48 weeks (a little over 11 months). Your toenails should be clean and dry before application. And you should wait at least 10 minutes to apply it after you shower, bathe, or wash your feet. Allow the solution to dry completely after you apply it.

Fungal toenail infections take time to treat. So, patience is key. You may notice some improvements after a few months of use. But it’s important to apply the medication for the full 48 weeks. If you don’t, the infection could come back.

During clinical studies, over 50% of people using Jublia tested negative for fungus after 52 weeks (1 year). Complete cure rates ranged from 15% to 18%. But it’s possible that Jublia may not clear your infection. And it’s not the best option for severe infections. In some cases, you’ll need to switch to a different treatment, like an oral pill.

What are the side effects of using Jublia?

You may not experience any side effects while using Jublia. But if you do, they tend to happen where you apply it. These side effects may include:

• Ingrown toenails

• Redness

• Itching

• Swelling

• Burning or stinging

• Pain

• Blisters

Let your healthcare provider know if any side effects you experience from Jublia don’t go away or get worse.

Are there any other alternatives to Jublia?

Yes, there are several topical Jublia alternatives. A few examples include Penlac (ciclopirox) and Kerydin (tavaborole).

Penlac

Penlac is a nail lacquer that’s applied topically. But it can be used on both fingernails and toenails. And it works differently than Jublia to fight your infection. Penlac is thought to work by blocking an enzyme necessary to supply the fungus with nutrients. This helps stop it from growing.

Penlac is applied to the affected area once daily. This results in a new coat of medication applied over the previous one. Every 7 days, you’ll use rubbing alcohol to remove the layers of medication from your nail(s). Repeat this process through the duration of treatment (48 weeks).

During clinical studies, less than 40% of people using Penlac tested negative for fungus after 48 weeks. And complete cure rates ranged from 5% to a little over 8%. But keep in mind that Penlac and Jublia haven’t been compared in a head-to-head study.

However, Penlac is available as a lower-cost generic. So, you may save more money with Penlac.

Kerydin

Another Jublia alternative is Kerydin, which is only used on toenails. It’s an oxaborole antifungal that works by blocking the fungus’s ability to make proteins. Similar to Jublia, you’ll apply Kerydin to affected toenails once daily for 48 weeks.

During clinical studies, less than 40% of people using Kerydin tested negative for fungus after 52 weeks. Complete cure rates ranged from 6% to 9%. Like Penlac, Kerydin and Jublia haven’t been compared in head-to-head studies.

Kerydin also has a lower-cost generic available. But you’ll need to replace your bottle of medication every 3 months, even if it’s not empty.

How to save on Jublia

There are ways to save on Jublia, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Jublia using a savings card from the manufacturer. But if Jublia isn’t covered, or if you’re uninsured, you may be able to pay as little as $65 for your prescription.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Jublia’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Ross Phan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, BCPS

Ross Phan is a board-certified clinical pharmacist. She has roughly two decades of healthcare experience — with most of her experience being pharmacy related.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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