Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Font Size

Nonprescription antifungals for athlete's foot

Examples

Azoles

Generic Name	Brand Name
clotrimazole	Lotrimin AF
miconazole nitrate	Micatin

Allylamines

Generic Name	Brand Name
terbinafine hydrochloride	Lamisil AT Athlete's Foot, Lamisil Topical

Other antifungals

Generic Name	Brand Name
tolnaftate	Tinactin, Ting
undecylenic acid	FungiCure, Fungi-Nail, Tinecide

These antifungal medicines are put directly on the skin (topical). They are available as creams, lotions, solutions, gels, sprays, ointments, swabs, or powders. One medicine may be available in many forms. Your doctor will help you decide which form is best for you.

How It Works

All of these medicines kill fungi. But you most likely will use terbinafine for a shorter amount of time than the others. See the medicine label for specific instructions. In general:

Terbinafine is used for 1 to 2 weeks.
Other medicines are used for 4 to 6 weeks.

If you stop treatment early, even if the symptoms are gone, an athlete's foot infection will likely return. It is very important to use the medicine for the entire time directed.

Why It Is Used

Nonprescription antifungal medicines are usually the first medicines used in treating mild and moderate athlete's foot. If treatment is not successful, or if you have a severe case, prescription antifungals are used.

How Well It Works

Nonprescription antifungal medicines are effective in curing athlete's foot for most people. But studies show that allylamine medicines work slightly better than azole medicines.^1,²

Terbinafine requires a shorter course of treatment (1 week) than miconazole and clotrimazole (4 to 6 weeks). While terbinafine costs more than the other two, you need less of it to successfully treat a fungal infection.

Side Effects

Topical antifungals rarely cause side effects. Stop using the medicine and talk to your doctor if the medicine causes severe blistering, itching, redness, dryness, or irritation.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Among topical medicines, creams may be best used on mild-to-moderate non-oozing infections, lotions on oozing infections, powders and sprays to prevent reinfection, and gels and ointments for long-term moccasin-type infections .³

It is not known whether these medicines harm a fetus or pass into breast milk. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your doctor.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

Crawford F (2006). Athlete's foot, search date April 2006. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: www.clinicalevidence.com.

Crawford F, et al. (2007). Topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3).

Weinstein A, Berman B (2003). Topical treatment of common superficial tinea infections. American Family Physician, 65(10): 2095–2102.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 02, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.