Tavaborole is a topical antifungal used to treat fungal toenail infections in people ages 6 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.
Fungal toenail infection in people age 6 years and older
Tavaborole is a topical antifungal that's classified as an oxaborole antifungal. It works by stopping fungus from being able to make proteins that they need to grow and survive.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Used just once a day
Applied directly to the toenail(s)
Fewer side effects compared to oral antifungals
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.
Tavaborole 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.
Tavaborole should only be applied on your infected toenail(s). Don't apply this medication to any other area of the body.
Tavaborole is flammable and can catch on fire. Avoid open flames and smoking when you're applying this medication. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place away from heat.
Adults and children (ages 6 years and older): 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.
Fungal toenail infection in people age 6 years and older
Fungal toenail infection in adults and children age 6 years and older
Jock itch
Athlete's foot
Ringworm
Tinea versicolor (fungal infection that causes discolored spots on the skin)
Yeast infections of the skin
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp - shampoo and gel only
Fungal nail infection - nail lacquer only
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Aaron, D. M. (2024). Overview of fungal skin infections. Merck Manual Consumer Version.
Cipla USA Inc. (2021). Tavaborole- tavaborole solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Elewski, B. E., et al. (2015). Efficacy and safety of tavaborole topical solution, 5%, a novel boron-based antifungal agent, for the treatment of toenail onychomycosis: Results from 2 randomized phase-III studies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Jinna, S., et al. (2015). Spotlight on tavaborole for the treatment of onychomycosis. Drug Design, Development and Therapy.
Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC. (2024). Tavaborole solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Fungal nail infection.
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