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Ciclopirox Topical

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Why is this medication prescribed?

To treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails, ciclopirox topical solution is applied in conjunction with routine nail cutting (an infection that may cause nail discoloration, splitting and pain). The drug ciclopirox belongs to the antifungals class of drugs. It functions by preventing nail fungus from growing.

How should this medicine be used?

Ciclopirox is available as a solution to apply to the skin around and beneath the nails, as well as the nails themselves. Typically, it is administered once daily. Use ciclopirox at roughly the same time each day, usually before bed, to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Use ciclopirox exactly as recommended. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Ciclopirox is used to treat nail fungus, albeit it might not be a permanent solution. Before you see improvement in your nails, it could take up to six months. Use ciclopirox as prescribed every day. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking ciclopirox.

Your treatment with ciclopirox topical solution will be most effective if you routinely trim your nails. Before starting treatment and once a week after that, you should use a nail clipper or nail file to remove any loose nails or nail substance. You’ll learn how to accomplish this from your doctor. During your treatment, your doctor will also clip your nails once a month.

Use ciclopirox topical solution only on the skin surrounding and under your nails. Avoid getting the solution in or close to your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina, as well as any other skin or body parts.

For nails that have been treated with ciclopirox topical solution, avoid using nail polish or other nail cosmetics.

When using ciclopirox topical solution, wait at least 8 hours before taking a bath, shower, or swimming.

Topical ciclopirox solution could burn. When using this medication, keep it away from heat sources and open flames like cigarettes.

Use the topical solution of ciclopirox as directed:

  1. Before your first treatment, make sure your nails have been appropriately cut.
  2. Apply the ciclopirox topical solution evenly to each of the afflicted nails using the applicator brush that is connected to the bottle cap. If you can get to them, you should also apply the solution to the skin and the underside of the nail.
  3. Replace the bottle cap firmly after cleaning the neck and cap.
  4. When putting on socks or stockings, give the solution time to dry for around 30 seconds.
  5. Use ciclopirox topical solution over the medication that is currently on your nails when it is time for your next dose.
  6. Once each week, use a cotton ball or piece of tissue dipped in rubbing alcohol to completely remove all of the ciclopirox from your nail(s). Use scissors, nail clippers, or file as much of the broken nail as you can to remove it.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using ciclopirox topical solution,

  • If you have an allergy to ciclopirox or any other drug, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal items, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Incorporate any of the following: inhaled steroids such as flunisolide (AeroBid), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), and beclomethasone (Beconase, Vancenase); mometasone (Nasonex), triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort, Tri-Nasal), and fluticasone (Advair, Flonase, Flovent); oral antifungal medications like fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), terbinafine (Lamisil), and voriconazole (Vfend); steroid creams, lotions, or ointments such as desoximetasone (Topicort), alclometasone (Aclovate), betamethasone (Alphatrex, Betatrex, Diprolene, others), clobetasol (Cormax, Temovate), desonide (DesOwen, Tridesilon), diflorasone (Maxiflor, Psorcon), and fluocinolone (DermaSmoothe, Synalar), mometasone (Elocon), prednicarbate (Dermatop), fluocinonide (Lidex), flurandrenolide (Cordran), halcinonide (Halor), hydrocortisone (Cortizone, Westcort, and others), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog, others). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • Inform your doctor if you have or have ever undergone an organ transplant, if you recently experienced chicken pox, and if you have or have ever experienced any immune system-affecting conditions, such as cancer, cold sores, diabetes, flaky, itchy, or crusty skin, HIV, AIDS, or severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID). Peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of blood vessels in feet, legs, or arms causing numbness, pain, or coldness in that part of the body), genital herpes (sexually transmitted disease that causes painful blisters on reproductive organs), shingles (painful blisters brought on by the chicken pox virus), fungal skin infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm, or seizures.
  • Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ciclopirox.
  • You should be aware that while using ciclopirox topical solution, you should maintain your nails dry and clean. Never trade nail-care supplies. For healthy and infected nails, use several tools. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes, switch them out periodically, and avoid going barefoot in public if your toenails are bothersome. While playing sports, using harsh cleansers, or doing work that could hurt or irritate fingernails and toenails, wear protective footwear and gloves.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Applying a second dose to make up for a missed one is not advised.

What side effects can this medication cause?

The topical solution of ciclopirox may have negative effects. If any of the following symptoms are severe or persistent, consult your doctor:

  • Redness near the site of your ciclopirox application

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Even though the following signs are unusual, you should call your doctor right once if you notice any of them:

  • Inflammation where you used the ciclopirox, including itchiness, burning, blistering, swelling, or leaking.
  • Discomfort at the afflicted nail(s) or nearby region
  • Change in the colour or form of the nail (s)
  • Recurring nail (s)

Further negative effects from ciclopirox topical solution are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Away from light, keep the bottle of ciclopirox topical solution in the box it came in.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Penlac® Nail Lacquer
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