Nail Fungus Medication

Nail fungus, medically termed as onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail. This infection causes the nail color to change from pink to yellow or brown color. This also commonly leads to brittle nails. This will not only make your nails look unattractive but also cause pain. While there are various home remedies available to cure this problem, you can instead opt for some over-the-counter nail fungus medications, that are very effective for treatment.

Over-the Counter Treatment

Miconazole Nitrate
It is a topical medication, available in liquid form and must be applied directly over the nail using a dropper. It is usually mixed with some inactive ingredients like benzoyl alcohol, cocamide, alcohol, isobutane, propane, tocophenol and sorbitan sesquioleate. It must be applied twice a day, till you get relief from the toenail or fingernail fungal infection. Remember, that it is not suitable for children below 2 years of age. Also, never take it orally and keep it away from eyes and out of reach of children. Shake the container well before using to get the best results. Miconazole nitrate is also known to cure problems like athlete's foot and ringworm.

Terbinafine
This is another best and effective medicine. Terbinafine hydrochloride is the active ingredient used along with other inactive ingredients like sodium hydroxide, stearyl alcohol, acetyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate and purified water. It is a topical medication, available in form of ointments and creams that must be applied directly over the infected nail, twice a day. There are various oral and topical medications that contain this chemical.

Griseofulvin and Ketoconazole
Here griseofulvin and ketoconazole are the two systemic drugs used. These can be used as topical application for the mild cases. There are certain drawbacks of this treatment. Firstly, it has to be continued for about 10 to 18 months. Secondly, it needs laboratory monitoring due to its side effects like liver toxicity. Remember that terbinafine is known to have lesser toxicity towards liver as compared to these. These two drugs are an effective antifungal for ringworm and athlete's foot as well.

Cotrimazole
This is next medication available over the counter, that is also known to be very effective. It is available in the topical form such as creams and ointments. It is to be applied over the nail, once a day till the infection is cured. Treatment should be continued till the infection is cured.

Ciclopirox
Ciclopirox is a topical lotion available over-the-counter, known to be an effective treatment. Ciclopirox is just like a nail polish, it has to be applied in the same way over the fungus infected nail. This is useful only in early stages. Your doctor will usually recommend you to use it in the early stages of fungal infection. It should be used after consulting a doctor in certain circumstances, such as immunological disorder, pregnancy, diabetes or epilepsy. Also, make sure that you keep ciclopirox away from heat. You are supposed to apply it once a day.

The aforementioned medication can have some side-effects, so it is essential to use them with caution. If you are suffering from any other health condition, then you must consult your doctor before using these. Also, these are not suitable for children or pregnant women, unless your doctor recommends these. Also, it is necessary to file your nails to make them thinner before applying these medications, so as to help the topical solution penetrate though the nail layers.