Home Drug Guide Ciclopirox

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Ciclopirox

Brand Names Loprox, Penlac

Classification

Therapeutic: Antifungal

Pharmacological: Imidazole antifungal

FDA Approved Indications

  • Superficial fungal infections of the skin (athlete's foot, candidiasis, tinea versicolor)
  • Onychomycosis (nail fungus)

Mechanism of Action

Ciclopirox disrupts fungal cell membrane metabolism by inhibiting the transport of essential ions and nutrients, leading to fungal cell death.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Apply 1-2 times daily for topical formulations; for nail lacquer, apply once daily to affected nails, then weekly after initial period.

Pediatric: Use with caution; consult specific product guidelines.

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustment; monitor for potential skin sensitivity.

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustments necessary for topical use.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Minimal absorption through intact skin; higher absorption when applied to broken skin.

Distribution: Widely distributed in the skin and nails.

Metabolism: Metabolized minimally; some hepatic metabolism may occur.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine, mainly as metabolites.

Half Life: Approximate topical half-life not established; systemic half-life varies with route.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to ciclopirox or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with damaged skin or open wounds. Not recommended for ophthalmic or intravaginal use unless specified.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Application site irritation (Common)
  • Itching or burning sensation (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Allergic contact dermatitis (Rare)
  • Severe skin reactions or hypersensitivity (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No significant interactions reported with topical use.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • None documented.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • No known interactions.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Evaluate for signs of fungal infection and skin integrity.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for skin irritation or allergic reaction.

Implementation: Apply as directed, avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes, and instruct patients on proper application.

Evaluation: Monitor for signs of resolution of infection and adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Keep the area clean and dry.
  • Apply as prescribed, do not overuse.
  • Report any signs of irritation, allergy, or worsening infection.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None

Genetic Factors: No known genetic considerations affecting use.

Lab Test Interference: Minimal to none.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Local skin irritation if over-applied.

Treatment: Discontinue use, wash the area with water, and treat symptomatically.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Stability: Stable within expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.