DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Exelderm

† Not commercially available in Canada.

Category

• Antifungal, topical

Description

Sulconazole (sul-KON-a-zole) is used to treat infections caused by a fungus. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth.

Sulconazole is applied to the skin to treat the following:

• ringworm of the body (tinea corporis);
• ringworm of the foot (tinea pedis; athlete's foot);
• ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris; jock itch);
• ``sun fungus'' (tinea versicolor; pityriasis versicolor).

Sulconazole may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Topical sulconazole is available only with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:

• Topical
• Cream (U.S.)
• Solution (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sulconazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sulconazole or other antifungals such as miconazole (e.g., Micatin) or econazole (e.g., Spectazole). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical sulconazole has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that sulconazole when taken by mouth causes unwanted effects such as death of the fetus or difficult labor. Before you use this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical sulconazole passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of sulconazole in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical sulconazole in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Apply enough sulconazole to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas, and rub in gently.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes .

When sulconazole is used to treat certain types of fungus infections of the skin, occlusive dressing (airtight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) should not be applied over the medicine. To do so may irritate the skin. Do not apply an airtight covering over this medicine unless you have been directed to do so by your doctor .

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using sulconazole for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Since fungus infections may be very slow to clear up, you may have to continue using this medicine every day for several weeks or more. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Do not miss any doses.

Dosing—The dose of sulconazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of topical sulconazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using topical sulconazole .

• For topical cream dosage form:
  • For ringworm of the body or ringworm of the groin or ``sun fungus'':
    • Adults—Use one or two times a day for at least three weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For athlete's foot:
    • Adults—Use two times a day for at least four weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • For ringworm of the body or ringworm of the groin or ``sun fungus'':
    • Adults—Use one or two times a day for at least three weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your skin problem does not improve within 4 to 6 weeks or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, good health habits are also required . The following measures will help reduce chaffing and irritation and will also help keep the area cool and dry:

• For patients using sulconazole for ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris; jock itch) :
  • Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
• For patients using sulconazole for ringworm of the foot (tinea pedis; athlete's foot) :
  • Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if the feet sweat a lot.
  • Wear sandals or other well-ventilated shoes.
• For patients using sulconazole for ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) :
  • Carefully dry yourself after bathing.
  • Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible.
  • Wear well-ventilated, loose-fitting clothing.

If you have any questions about these measures, check with your health care professional.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Burning or stinging, itching, redness of the skin, or other signs of irritation not present before use of this medicine

Other side effects not listed above may also rarely occur. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, sulconazole is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

• Cutaneous candidiasis

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.

Developed: 03/29/1994

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