[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Other antifungals](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-antifungals/) › Ciclopirox

# Ciclopirox

## Other antifungals?

Other antifungals

Broad-spectrum topical antifungal (a hydroxypyridone) for tinea, skin candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor and, as a nail lacquer, onychomycosis.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: ciclopirox olamine

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Other antifungals](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-antifungals/)

**Target**
Metal-dependent fungal enzymes (through cation chelation)

**Used for**
Tinea pedis · Cutaneous candidiasis · Pityriasis

**Key effects**
Redness · With the lacquer

**Monitor**
Nail response

**ATC**
D01AE14

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyridone that chelates polyvalent cations, above all trivalent ones such as iron. Without those metals the enzymes that break down peroxides inside the fungus fail, the peroxides build up and damage it. It is fungicidal against Candida albicans and dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum, and also inhibits Malassezia.

- Penetrates the epidermis and reaches the dermis
- Chelates metal cations inside the fungus
- Peroxide-degrading enzymes fail
- The fungus is damaged and dies

## Indications

- Tinea pedis, cruris and corporis [Dermatophytosis (tinea) and onychomycosis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dermatophytosis-and-onychomycosis/)
- Cutaneous candidiasis by Candida albicans [Cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidiasis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cutaneous-and-mucocutaneous-candidiasis/)
- Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor
- Mild to moderate onychomycosis of fingers and toes (nail lacquer), with regular nail trimming
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp (gel and shampoo) [Seborrheic dermatitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Redness, burning or itching at the application site
- With the lacquer: irritation of the skin around the nail, nail colour or shape change and ingrown nail

### Serious (rare, important)

- Allergic contact dermatitis (uncommon)

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to ciclopirox or any component of the product

## Key interactions

**Nail polish and nail cosmetics**
Avoided on nails treated with the lacquer.

## What is monitored

- Irritation or sensitisation at the application site
- Nail response: improvement takes months and complete cure is uncommon

## Administration and safety

- External use only: not applied to eyes, nose, mouth or vagina
- The lacquer is applied over the previous layer and removed once a week with alcohol, along with trimming the damaged nail
- The lacquer is flammable: kept away from heat, flames and cigarettes

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It was not teratogenic in animals and absorption is minimal; adequate studies in pregnant women are lacking, so it is used when the benefit justifies it.

## Nursing care

- Teach nail care: clean, dry, trimmed nails and no shared nail clippers
- Explain that onychomycosis improves over months and treatment is not stopped without advice
- Ask about diabetes or peripheral vascular disease before treating nails
- Ask the patient to report blisters, oozing or nail pain

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Topical; systemic absorption is minimal (about 1% of the applied dose).

**Distribution**
Penetrates the skin, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

## Memory aid

«CicloPIROX steals the IRON»: the fungus is left without metals to clear its peroxides and rusts from the inside.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## How does ciclopirox work?

It chelates trivalent metal cations and inhibits metal-dependent fungal enzymes, such as those that break down peroxides.

## How effective is ciclopirox nail lacquer for onychomycosis?

It is well tolerated, but complete cure is uncommon and improvement takes months; it is combined with nail trimming.

## What practical precaution applies to ciclopirox nail lacquer?

It is flammable: it is kept away from heat, flames and cigarettes.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ciclopirox/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Terbinafine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/terbinafine/)
- [Clotrimazole](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/clotrimazole/)

## Related conditions 3

- [Dermatophytosis (tinea) and onychomycosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dermatophytosis-and-onychomycosis/)
- [Cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidiasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cutaneous-and-mucocutaneous-candidiasis/)
- [Seborrheic dermatitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/)

[← Back to the class: Other antifungals](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-antifungals/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - CICLOPIROX OLAMINE cream](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5c585aa5-7d2d-e798-c0bd-d602574d643c) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Ciclopirox Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604021.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ciclopirox/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ciclopirox/