DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Aftate for Athlete's Foot Aerosol Spray Liquid
• Aftate for Athlete's Foot Aerosol Spray Powder
• Aftate for Athlete's Foot Gel
• Aftate for Athlete's Foot Sprinkle Powder
• Aftate for Jock Itch Aerosol Spray Powder
• Aftate for Jock Itch Gel
• Aftate for Jock Itch Sprinkle Powder
• Genaspore Cream
• NP-27 Cream
• NP-27 Powder
• NP-27 Solution
• NP-27 Spray Powder
• Tinactin Aerosol Liquid
• Tinactin Aerosol Powder
• Tinactin Antifungal Deodorant Powder Aerosol
• Tinactin Cream
• Tinactin Jock Itch Cream
• Tinactin Jock Itch Spray Powder
• Tinactin Powder
• Tinactin Solution
• Ting Antifungal Cream
• Ting Antifungal Powder
• Ting Antifungal Spray Liquid
• Ting Antifungal Spray Powder
• Zeasorb-AF Powder

In Canada—

• Pitrex Cream
• Tinactin Aerosol Liquid
• Tinactin Aerosol Powder
• Tinactin Cream
• Tinactin Jock Itch Aerosol Powder
• Tinactin Jock Itch Cream
• Tinactin Plus Aerosol Powder
• Tinactin Plus Powder
• Tinactin Powder
• Tinactin Solution

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antifungal, topical

Description

Tolnaftate (tole-NAF-tate) belongs to the group of medicines called antifungals. It is used to treat some types of fungus infections. It may also be used together with medicines taken by mouth for fungus infections.

Tolnaftate is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of tolnaftate for your medical problem.

Tolnaftate is available in the following dosage forms:

• Topical
• Aerosol powder (U.S. and Canada)
• Aerosol solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (U.S.)
• Powder (U.S. and Canada)
• Topical solution (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For tolnaftate, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tolnaftate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Tolnaftate topical preparations have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Tolnaftate topical preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Tolnaftate should not be used on children up to 2 years of age, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Although there is no specific information comparing use of tolnaftate in children 2 years of age and older with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children 2 years of age and older than it does in adults.

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 or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of tolnaftate in the elderly with use in other age groups.

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

Before applying tolnaftate, wash the affected area and dry thoroughly. Then apply enough medicine to cover the affected area.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes .

For patients using the powder form of this medicine:

• If the powder is used on the feet, sprinkle it between toes, on feet, and in socks and shoes.

For patients using the aerosol powder form of this medicine:

• Shake well before using.
• From a distance of 6 to 10 inches, spray the powder on the affected areas. If it is used on the feet, spray it between toes, on feet, and in socks and shoes.
• Do not inhale the powder.
• Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

For patients using the solution form of this medicine:

• If tolnaftate solution becomes a solid, it may be dissolved by warming the closed container of medicine in warm water.

For patients using the aerosol solution form of this medicine:

• Shake well before using.
• From a distance of 6 inches, spray the solution on the affected areas. If it is used on the feet, spray between toes and on feet.
• Do not inhale the vapors from the spray.
• Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for 2 weeks after burning, itching, or other symptoms have disappeared , unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do not miss any doses .

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

• For topical dosage forms (aerosol powder, aerosol solution, cream, gel, powder, or topical solution):
  • For fungus infections:
    • Adults and children 2 years of age and over—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use is not recommended except under the advice and supervision of your doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. Then 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.
• Do not store the powder form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not puncture, break, or burn the aerosol powder or aerosol solution container.
• 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 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional.

To help prevent reinfection after the period of treatment with this medicine, the powder or spray powder form of this medicine may be used each day after bathing and carefully drying the affected area.

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 health care professional as soon as possible if the following side effect occurs:

Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine

When you apply the aerosol solution form of this medicine, a mild temporary stinging may be expected.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.

Revised: 08/10/1994

The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products.