What Are the Best Treatments for Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis), and How Does It Look?
There are a variety of treatments for toenail fungus, from prescription pills to OTC creams. Experts discuss which toenail fungus treatments are most effective.
tavaborole
Used for Nail Fungus
Used for Nail Fungus
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.
When does Tavaborole start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Kerydin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antifungal |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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
When do Tavaborole possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Risk of ingrown toenail
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
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
Get your GoodRx coupon
$666.91
GoodRx discount
$27.68
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.
Tavaborole dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 10ml of 5% of Tavaborole is $47.39 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 96.39% off the average retail price of $1,313.92. 
Bottle of topical solution
Bottle of topical solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 5% | 1 bottle | $47.39 | $47.39 |
| 4ml of 5% | 1 bottle | $27.68 | $27.68 |
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.
How much does Tavaborole cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Tavaborole?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Tavaborole. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Tavaborole
Tavaborole images
