From the Research
Over-the-Counter Antifungal Options
- Various over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal products are available, including those containing miconazole nitrate, chloroxylenol, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, and undecylenic acid 1, 2, 3.
- The effectiveness of these products can vary, with some studies suggesting that 2% miconazole nitrate is as effective as prescription-strength mycostatin cream in inhibiting the growth of C. albicans 1.
- Other studies have compared the transungual penetration and antifungal activity of different topical antifungals, including OTC products, and found that efinaconazole and tavaborole have superior penetration and activity against certain fungal species 2.
Treatment Recommendations
- For the treatment of tinea cruris, topical allylamines or azole antifungals are recommended, with the choice depending on patient compliance, medication accessibility, and cost 4.
- Terbinafine is often recommended as a first-line treatment for tinea pedis, but there is growing concern about antifungal resistance, particularly to terbinafine 5.
- Pharmacy employees often recommend terbinafine as a standard treatment, but may not be aware of the issue of antifungal resistance 5.