Penlac ® is a Nail Fungus Topical Treatment

Penlac ® is a varnish which is applied with a brush that deposit a small layer on your nail.

Then the active product, which is ciclopirox at 8%, penetrates in the nail and kills the fungus

Penlac ® is an Rx FDA approved remedy, so I class it in the pharmaceutical remedies and you need a medical prescription to buy it.

As a Topical Treatment, Penlac ® is intended for external use only and must be applied on the toenail or fingernail only, and 5 mm on the skin around the nails.

Is Penlac ® effective?

In the Penlac prescribing information document (pdf) I found these information:

• PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, should be used as a component of a comprehensive management program for onychomycosis (scientist name for nail fungus).
  
• Removal of the unattached, infected nail, as frequently as monthly, by a health care professional, weekly trimming by the patient, and daily application of the medication are all integral parts of this therapy.
  
• PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, should be applied once daily (preferably at bedtime or eight hours before washing) to all affected nails with the applicator brush provided.
  
• The PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, should not be removed on a daily basis. Daily applications should be made over the previous coat and removed with alcohol every seven days.

Is Penlac ® safe?

• No studies have been conducted to determine whether ciclopirox might reduce the effectiveness of systemic antifungal agents for onychomycosis. Therefore, the concomitant use of 8% ciclopirox topical solution and systemic antifungal agents for onychomycosis is not recommended.
  
• PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, should be used only under medical supervision as described above.
  
• The effectiveness and safety of PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, in the following populations has not been studied. The clinical trials with use of PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, excluded patients who: were pregnant or nursing, planned to become pregnant, had a history of immunosuppression (e.g., extensive, persistent, or unusual distribution of dermatomycoses, extensive seborrheic dermatitis, recent or recurring herpes zoster, or persistent herpes simplex), were HIV seropositive, received organ transplant, required medication to control epilepsy, were insulin dependent diabetics or had diabetic neuropathy. Patients with severe plantar (moccasin) tinea pedis were also excluded.
  
• The safety and efficacy of using PENLAC ® NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, daily for greater than 48 weeks have not been established.

As an FDA approved medication, Penlac were tested in laboratory with several protocols and animals, and proved to be safe.

The human studies conduct with human detected minor adverse reactions, and doesn't cause liver or other damages.

Penlac doesn't need a blood test, but only your doctor can decide on this.

Notice :

I found these information in the Penlac ® "prescribing information" document :

• The mechanism of action of Penlac ® has been investigated using various in vitro and in vivo infection models.
  
• One in vitro study suggested that ciclopirox acts by chelation of polyvalent cations (Fe+3 or Al+3) resulting in the inhibition of the metal-dependent enzymes that are responsible for the degradation of peroxides within the fungal cell.
  
• The clinical significance of this observation is not known.

To be clear, Penlac ® interact with iron and alumni atoms, then inhibit the enzymes whose protect the fungus of peroxide degradation.

Yes, as we know, onychomycosis love moisture and confinement and fear dry and ventilation (oxydation), it's why you will be advised to wear sandals to maintain your feet dry, as much as possible.

It's also why home remedies, as hydrogen peroxide seems to be effective.

Penlac ® is a registered Trademark of Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc - Penlac ®