Ciclopirox is an antifungal (or antifungal) drug used in the treatment of superficial fungal infections, including onychomycosis.
Ciclopirox - Chemical Structure
From the chemical point of view, ciclopirox is a hydroxylated pyridone and is available in the form of medicated nail polishes and shampoos.
Indications
For what it uses
The use of ciclopirox is indicated for:
- Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (cyclopirox based shampoo is used);
- Treatment of mild to moderate nail mycoses (cyclopirox-based medicated nail polish is used).
Warnings
If - following the use of the cyclopirox based shampoo - hypersensitization or irritation occurs, treatment with the drug should be stopped immediately.
When cyclopirox is used - both in the form of shampoo and in the form of medicated enamel - it is necessary to avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes.
During the treatment with ciclopirox-based enamel, no other enamels or cosmetics should be used on the treated nails.
Interactions
There are no known drug interactions and ciclopirox in the form of shampoo or medicated enamel.
However, it is still a good idea to inform your doctor if you are taking - or have recently been - any type of medication, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal and / or homeopathic products.
Side effects
Cyclopirox can cause various side effects, although not all patients experience them. This depends on the different sensitivity of each individual towards the drug.
When using the ciclopirox based shampoo, side effects may occur such as:
- Allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive subjects;
- Opacity and heaviness of the hair;
- Dryness of hair;
- Hair loss;
- Changes in hair color;
- Irritation and / or eczema at the site of application;
- Burning;
- Itch.
When cyclopirox-based medicated enamel is used, however, adverse effects may occur at the site of application, such as redness, peeling, itching or burning.
Action mechanism
The ciclopirox has a very different mechanism of action from that of the other antifungal drugs.
In fact, ciclopirox acts by chelating polyvalent cations (such as Fe3 +) that are necessary for the functioning of numerous metal-dependent enzymes present within the fungal cell. We therefore see an enzymatic inhibition that leads the fungal cell to certain death.
Mode of Use - Posology
For the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, it is recommended to use cyclopirox based shampoo 1-2 times a week, for a period of at least four weeks.
For the treatment of mycosis of the nail, on the other hand, it is recommended to apply the cyclopirox-based medicated enamel on the infected nails once a day. Treatment should be continued until complete healing and nail regeneration.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
As there is insufficient data on the safe use of ciclopirox based shampoo in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers as a precautionary measure, the product in question should not be used by this category of patients.
Cyclopirox-based enamel, on the other hand, can be used by pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers only if the doctor considers it indispensable.
Contraindications
The use of ciclopirox is contraindicated in the following cases:
- In patients with known hypersensitivity to ciclopirox;
- In patients with known hypersensitivity to cyclopirox olamine;
- In patients under 18 years of age (only when ciclopirox is used as a medicated nail polish).
Ciclopirox olamine
In some pharmaceutical preparations the ciclopirox is found in the form of cyclopirox olamine.
Cyclopirox olamine is used for:
- Treatment of cutaneous mycoses caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, molds and protozoa, even in the presence of Gram-positive bacteria infections;
- Treatment and prevention of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Ciclopirox olamina - Chemical Structure
For the treatment of cutaneous mycoses, cyclopirox olamine is available as a cream, skin spray, skin solution, skin powder and skin emulsion.
For the treatment of vulvovaginal mycoses caused by Candida, instead, cyclopirox olamine is available in the form of a vaginal cream, ovules, vaginal solution and gynecological foam.
For warnings, interactions with other drugs, use and posology, side effects and use during pregnancy and lactation of preparations for cutaneous use and for vaginal use based on cyclopirox olamine, see the package leaflets of each medicinal preparation.
