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 prescription antifungal medication used to treat toenail fungal infections in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It comes as a 5% topical solution applied directly to the affected toenails once a day for almost a year (48 weeks). Common side effects include redness or peeling around the treated nail and ingrown toenails. The brand-name Kerydin has been discontinued, but generic versions are still available.
What is Tavaborole?
What is Tavaborole used for?
- Toenail fungal infection 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. Over time, the fungal infection dies off and healthy nail growth can replace the infected nail.
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
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$726.65
GoodRx discount
$30.15
Pros and cons of Tavaborole
Pros
- Used once a day
- Applied directly to the infected toenail
- Can be used in adults and children ages 6 years and older
Cons
- Treatment lasts almost a year (48 weeks)
- Healthy toenail can take a long time to grow in
- Can be messy to apply
Pharmacist tips for Tavaborole
- Use tavaborole every day for the full 48 weeks, even if your toenail starts to look better. Stopping treatment too soon can allow the fungal infection to come back stronger.
- Your toenail might not look normal right away after using tavaborole. Toenails grow slowly, so it can take several more months for the damaged nail to grow out and a healthy nail to replace it.
- Avoid nail polish, artificial nails, and other nail cosmetic products while using tavaborole. It's not known whether these products can affect how well the medication works..
- Tavaborole can cause redness, itching, or irritation around the treated nail. Tell your prescriber if these side effects are bothersome or don't go away.
- Storage: Keep tavaborole at room temperature in the bottle it came in. Keep it away from heat and open flames because it can catch fire easily.
- Throw away each bottle of tavaborole 3 months after opening it, even if medication is left. Write the date you opened the bottle somewhere you'll remember so you know when to replace it.
- Before applying the medication, wash your feet and toes with soap and water then let them dry.
- Use the dropper to apply the solution over the entire affected toenail, including underneath the tip of the nail. Let it dry completely before putting on socks, shoes, or other foot coverings.
- Wash your hands after applying the solution or touching an infected toenail. This can help prevent the fungal infection from spreading to other parts of your body or to other people.
Tavaborole dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 10ml of 5% of Tavaborole is $46.71 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 96.44% off the average retail price of $1,312.48.
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
