tavaborole
Tavaborole is a topical antifungal used to treat toenail fungus in people 6 years and older. It comes as a 5% solution applied directly to the entire toenail once a day for almost a year. Side effects aren't common, but can include redness and peeling at the application site. Though the brand-name medication Kerydin is no longer available, the generic version is.
What is Tavaborole?
What is Tavaborole used for?
- Toenail fungus in people 6 years and older
How Tavaborole works
Tavaborole is an oxaborole antifungal. It works by stopping fungus from being able to make proteins that they need to grow and survive.
Drug facts
Side effects of Tavaborole
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
- Skin peeling (3%)
- Ingrown toenail (3%)
- Redness (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin inflammation
- Allergic reaction
The following Tavaborole 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 to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Ingrown nails
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
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Pros and cons of Tavaborole
Pros
- Used just once a day
- Applied directly to the toenail(s)
- Fewer side effects compared to oral antifungals
Cons
- Doesn't work as well as other antifungals
- Can be messy to apply
- Must be used for almost a year
Pharmacist tips for Tavaborole
- Tavaborole should be used for 48 weeks. Don't stop using it earlier, even if the symptoms have improved, unless your prescriber tells you to do so. Stopping treatment too early can make the infection more likely to come back again.
- It's best to not wear any nail polish or other cosmetic nails on the infected nail(s) while you're using tavaborole since it’s unclear if they might affect how well the medication works. Wait until your infection is gone and your nails are healed before applying nail polish.
- Tavaborole can cause some redness and itching at the application site, especially if it gets on skin. Let your primary care provider know if these side effects don't go away. Depending on your symptoms, you might need more medical attention.
- Store tavaborole at room temperature in the bottle it came in from the pharmacy. Don't use or store it near heat or open flames since the medication is flammable (can catch fire easily).
- Each bottle of tavaborole should only be used for up to 3 months after opening. It's recommended to write in the new 3-month expiration date when you open the bottle. Request a refill for the medication a couple days before the expiration date so you don't miss any doses. After 3 months, throw the bottle away, even if there's still medication inside.
- Before using tavaborole, wash your feet and toes with soap and water and let them dry.
- Apply tavaborole to the affected toenail(s) using the dropper from the bottle. You'll want the medication to completely cover the entire toenail and under the tip of the nail. Let the medication dry completely before putting on socks or other foot coverings.
- Wash your hands after applying the medication or any time after you've touched your toenail. Even though you're using the dropper to apply the medication, it's easy to accidentally touch an infected toenail during the process. This can cause the fungal infection to spread to other parts of the body or to other people.
Common questions about Tavaborole
In clinical studies, up to 36% of people who used tavaborole for 48 weeks had no detectable fungal growth on their nails, and up to 9% had a complete cure. It’s important to know that topical treatments like tavaborole don’t work as well as oral antifungals because they don’t reach under the nail well, where most of the infection is.
You might start to notice some improvement after a couple months of using tavaborole. But you'll need to be patient since fungal nail infections take a long time to treat. You’ll know tavaborole is working when healthy nail starts to grow from the base. Keep using this medication for the full recommended time (48 weeks) even if symptoms improve. Stopping too soon can allow the infection to return. If you still have symptoms after finishing treatment, contact your prescriber since you might need a different medication.
No, tavaborole is only for toenail infections. Try to avoid applying it on the skin because it can cause irritation. A fungal infection between the toes is a type of skin infection that would need to be treated with an antifungal cream or ointment. Speak to your primary care provider if you think you have a fungal infection between the toes so you can get proper treatment.
No, tavaborole is available by prescription from a healthcare professional only.
Yes, tavaborole is only available as a generic solution since the brand-name medication Kerydin has been discontinued.
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Tavaborole dosage
Bottle of topical solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 5% | 1 bottle | $46.46 | $46.46 |
| 4ml of 5% | 1 bottle | $24.34 | $24.34 |
Typical dosage for Tavaborole
Apply to the affected toenail(s) once a day for 48 weeks. Make sure to apply enough to cover the entire toenail surface, including under the tip.
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