 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Penlac ® Ciclopirox belongs to the family of medications called antifungals. It is used for the treatment of mild to moderate onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nails) caused by a fungus called trichophyton rubrum. Ciclopirox is used in addition to a complete nail care program that includes regular removal of unattached, infected nails by a health care professional. Six months of treatment may be needed before improvement is noticed, and up to 48 weeks of treatment may be needed to clear the infection.
Penlac ® How should I use this medication? Ciclopirox nail lacquer should be applied once daily, preferably at bedtime or eight hours before washing, to all affected nails with the applicator brush provided. Using an emery board, file away any loose nail material and trim nails, as required, or as directed by your doctor, on a weekly basis. Ciclopirox should not be removed on a daily basis. Daily applications should be made over the previous coat. On a weekly basis (every 7 days), remove the old layer of ciclopirox with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and evenly re-apply a fresh coat of ciclopirox over the entire nail plate and on a small area of the surrounding skin. The length of treatment depends on the condition being treated and the response to the medication. Ciclopirox should be used only under supervision of your doctor and for no longer than 48 weeks. Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor. It is important that this medication be applied exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss an application, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next application, skip the missed application and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double an application to make up for a missed one. Store this medication at room temperature between 15° C and 30° C, and replace it in its original carton after each use to protect it from light. Keep ciclopirox out of the reach of children. As ciclopirox is flammable, keep it away from heat and open flame. What form(s) does this medication come in? Penlac® is available as a topical solution (nail lacquer). Type: nail lacquer. Appearance: clear, colourless, or slightly yellowish. Active ingredient: 80 mg of ciclopirox per gram. Nonmedicinal ingredients: ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and butyl monoester of poly [methylvinyl ether/maleic acid] in isopropyl alcohol. Who should NOT take this medication? This medication should not be used by anyone who is allergic to ciclopirox topical solution or to any of the ingredients of the medication.
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication? Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication. Diabetes: Before trimming your nails or removing any nail pieces, make sure you have informed your doctor if you have diabetes or problems with numbness in your toes or fingers. Nails: Do not use nail polish or other cosmetic nail products together with ciclopirox. Other conditions: The safety and effectiveness of ciclopirox has not been determined for people who have:
Skin: Avoid having this medication come in contact with your eyes or mucous membranes (e.g., nose, mouth, vagina). Rinse with water immediately if you get ciclopirox in your eyes or any other mucous membrane. Avoid any contact with skin other than the skin immediately surrounding the treated nail(s). This medication is for external use only. If you get ciclopirox on other parts of your skin, use soap and water to wash it off as soon as possible. If ciclopirox has dried on your skin, use rubbing alcohol to gently remove it, and then wash the skin with soap and water. Pregnancy: There are no adequate studies on the use of this medication by pregnant women. Pregnant women should not use this medication unless the benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn child. Breast-feeding: It is not known if ciclopirox topical solution passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding women should be cautious when using ciclopirox. Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children. What other drugs could interact with this medication? The following medications may affect how ciclopirox topical solution works or increase the risk of side effects:
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2004-2007
|
