Penlac

Tinea Pedis, Cellulitis, cutaneous candidiasis + 7 more
Treatment
0 Active Studies for Penlac

What is Penlac

CiclopiroxThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryCiclopirox olamine is an antifungal medication used to treat certain types of skin fungal infections, such as Tinea versicolor. It is available in several brand-name products, including Batrafen, Loprox, Mycoster, Penlac, and Stieprox.
Loproxis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Penlac Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Loprox
Ciclopirox
1982
77

Effectiveness

How Penlac Affects PatientsCiclopirox is a medication that fights fungal infections, bacteria, and inflammation. It works by blocking certain enzymes to stop them from working properly. It is effective against a wide range of fungal organisms, as well as many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It also reduces inflammation by preventing the formation of certain compounds that can cause inflammation.
How Penlac works in the bodyCiclopirox works differently than other antifungal medications. It binds to metal ions like iron and aluminum, which can make it hard for the fungus to use energy. It also changes the membrane of the fungus, making it harder for the fungus to keep its internal structures in order. Ciclopirox also works to reduce inflammation by blocking enzymes like 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase. Finally, it may also disrupt the DNA repair process and cell division signals.

When to interrupt dosage

The recommended measure of Penlac is based on the determined condition, including Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, Cellulitis and mild Onychomycosis. The dose fluctuates as per the technique of delivery featured in the table below.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Tinea Corporis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Tinea Pedis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Cellulitis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
mild Onychomycosis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
moderate Onychomycosis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Tinea cruris
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
cutaneous candidiasis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Pityriasis versicolor
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
0.0077 mg/mg, , 7.7 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mg, 71.3 mg/mL, 0.077 mg/mL, 80.0 mg/mL, 2280.0 mg/mL, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 8.0 %, 10.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mg, 0.03 mg/mg
, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical, Shampoo, Shampoo - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Shampoo - Oral, Kit - Topical

Warnings

Common Penlac Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Penlac Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest toxic dose of this drug in rats is greater than 10ml/kg. Those who overdose may feel drowsy and have a headache.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Penlac Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Penlac?

A single clinical trial is currently investigating the potential of Penlac to treat moderate Onychomycosis, Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Scalp and Tinea Pedis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Tinea Pedis
0 Actively Recruiting
Cellulitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Tinea Corporis
0 Actively Recruiting
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp
0 Actively Recruiting
Tinea cruris
0 Actively Recruiting
Pityriasis versicolor
0 Actively Recruiting
mild Onychomycosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
0 Actively Recruiting
moderate Onychomycosis
0 Actively Recruiting
cutaneous candidiasis
0 Actively Recruiting

Penlac Reviews: What are patients saying about Penlac?

5Patient Review
5/13/2011
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
Penlac finally cleared up the fungus on my toes after multiple rounds of other treatments that didn't work.
4Patient Review
1/25/2017
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
My doctor said this would take some time, and while it did help for a bit, the fungus came back. I had the fungus on my two big nails and Penlac cleared up the right toe but not the left. After one prescription renewal, I stopped using Penlac since it wasn't working--might as well try Vicks now.
3.7Patient Review
5/14/2014
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
While this treatment didn't completely transform my nails, it did make me take better care of them overall.
3Patient Review
8/2/2018
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
I've now been prescribed this treatment twice, and both times it has done nothing to improve my infection. In fact, it seems to have made it worse. I'll be asking my doctor for a new medication soon.
2.3Patient Review
6/5/2009
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
2Patient Review
4/19/2013
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
I've been using this treatment for about six weeks now, and it works great! I use a stiff file to grind down the nail and new growth looks healthy.
2Patient Review
5/9/2016
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
It was really tough to keep up with this treatment given that I had to remove it with nail polish remover every week, and it still didn't work for me. Such a waste of time and money.
2Patient Review
8/17/2009
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
I've been using Penlac for a year now, and I don't think it's made any difference in the appearance of my toenails.
1Patient Review
7/19/2017
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
Toenail fungus ALWAYS comes back. Right now, Penlac is keeping things from getting worse. Have not used it but a couple of months. Did use Lamasil 2x and it worked well, but it came back. Finally, a friend told me it always comes back. If you can get rid of it with Lamasil, then diligently use Penlac or another topical 1-2x week as a preventative measure to help keep the fungus at bay.
1Patient Review
3/15/2016
Penlac for Fungal Disease of the Nails
Vicks Vaporub was very effective, but I feel like I wasted a lot of time and money on this product.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about penlac

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long should you use Penlac?

"It is considered that up to 48 weeks of daily applications of PENLACĀ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, and professional removal of the unattached, infected nail, as frequently as monthly, are the full treatment needed to achieve a clear or almost clear nail (defined as 10% or less residual nail involvement)."

Answered by AI

Does Penlac work for toenail fungus?

"This medication is used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails. It can be used as part of a treatment program that may include the removal of unattached, infected nails by a health care professional. Ciclopirox works by preventing the fungus from growing."

Answered by AI

Can you get Penlac over the counter?

"You cannot buy ciclopirox (Penlac) over the counter in the United States, you need a prescription from a healthcare provider."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of Penlac?

"The medication may cause blistering, swelling, or oozing at the application site."

Answered by AI