Penlac Nail Lacquer (Ciclopirox)

(℞) Prescription Required

Penlac Nail Lacquer (Ciclopirox) Dosage and Side Effects

This product must be used as a part of a treatment program for fungal infections of the nails (onychomycosis) that includes regular removal of the infected nail as well as daily treatment with PENLAC.

Proper Use of this medication

Before starting treatment, remove any loose nail or nail pieces using nail clippers or nail files. If you have diabetes or problems with numbness in your toes or fingers, talk to your doctor before trimming your nails or removing any nail pieces.

Apply PENLAC once daily (bedtime is best) to all affected nails with the applicator brush provided. Apply PENLAC evenly over the entire nail and the skin right around the nail. Where possible, PENLAC should also be put on the bottom side of the nail and the skin beneath it. Let PENLAC dry (about 30 seconds) before putting on socks or stockings. After putting on PENLAC, wait 8 hours before taking a bath or shower.

When you are finished putting PENLAC on your nail(s), put the brush back into the bottle and close the cap tightly. Avoid getting the brush dirty.

Apply PENLAC daily over the previous coat.

Once a week (every 7 days), remove PENLAC with rubbing alcohol. Remove as much as possible of the damaged nail using scissors, nail clippers, or nail file.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor if the places where you have applied the product become red, start to itch, burn, blister, swell, or ooze. 

If you have diabetes or problems with numbness in your toes or fingers, talk to your doctor before trimming your nails or removing any nail pieces.

Warnings and Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you:

  • Are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby
  • Are a diabetic who needs insulin injections or has diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
  • Have a history of immunosuppression (e.g., are currently taking oral corticosteroids, have repeated or long lasting shingles (herpes zoster), have oral or genital herpes (herpes simplex))
  • Are immunocompromised (e.g., received an organ transplant, or are HIV positive)
  • Need medicine to control epilepsy
  • Use or require topical corticosteroids every month
  • Use steroid inhalers on a regular basis

Interactions with this medication

Do not use nail polish or other nail cosmetic products on the treated nails.

Avoid use near heat or open flame, because the product is flammable (catches fire easily).

Other related products

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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