Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common infection that causes the toenails to thicken, change color, and become distorted, and can even linger in your footwear; here’s how to eliminate toenail fungus in shoes! It can be unsightly and even painful, making everyday activities uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are treatments available, including topical antifungal medications like Kerydin, and other prescriptions such as Jublia.
Kerydin 5 topical solution contains 5% tavaborole and is designed to be applied directly to the affected toenail. It’s a prescription medication that can help clear up the fungal infection over time.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Kerydin, including its uses, how to apply it, potential side effects, and important precautions you should be aware of before using this medication. If you’re considering Kerydin as a treatment option for your toenail fungus, this information will help you make an informed decision.
What is Kerydin?
Kerydin is a topical solution used to treat onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails and fingernails. It’s a prescription medication that you apply directly to the affected nail.
How does Kerydin work?
The active ingredient in Kerydin is tavaborole, which is a type of antifungal called an oxaborole. Tavaborole works by stopping the growth of the fungus that’s causing the infection. It does this by targeting and binding to a specific enzyme in the fungus called leucyl-tRNA synthetase, which is essential for the fungus to make proteins. By interfering with protein synthesis, Kerydin effectively prevents the fungus from growing and spreading.
What types of fungus does Kerydin treat?
Kerydin is effective against two common types of fungi that cause nail infections:
- Trichophyton rubrum
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes
These fungi are responsible for the majority of onychomycosis cases, so Kerydin can be a helpful treatment option for many people.
What is Kerydin used to treat?
Kerydin is a topical treatment for onychomycosis (toe fungus) caused by Trichophyton rubrum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes. If you’re unsure whether that’s what’s causing your toe problems, you should seek a diagnosis from your doctor. The diagnosis may include getting a KOH wet mount or fungal culture to confirm the presence of fungus.
Kerydin is applied topically, meaning you paint it directly on your toenail, similar to using a nail fungus pen.
How to use Kerydin
Kerydin is a topical treatment for toenail fungus. Here’s what you need to know about using it:
Recommended dosage
Kerydin is a once-a-day treatment. You’ll need to apply it to the affected toenail or toenails every day for 48 weeks, which is about 11 months.
How to apply Kerydin
The dropper that comes with Kerydin is your applicator. Use it to cover the entire surface of your infected toenail with the solution. Make sure you get some of the solution under the tip of the toenail as well.
It’s important to apply Kerydin every day to get the best results. You should also throw away the bottle and dropper 3 months after you open it, even if there’s still some medicine left.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to put Kerydin on your toenail one day, don’t worry. Just apply it as soon as you remember. But don’t apply twice as much to make up for the missed dose.
Kerydin: What to know before you use it
Like any medication, Kerydin comes with warnings and precautions. Here’s a rundown of what to keep in mind:
Flammability
This is a big one: Kerydin is flammable. You should keep it away from heat and open flame. Don’t smoke while you’re putting it on, and wait until it’s fully dried before you light up.
Avoid contact
Be super careful to avoid getting Kerydin in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. If you accidentally do, rinse the area really well with water right away.
Hypersensitivity
Allergic reactions are possible with Kerydin. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, like a rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing, stop using Kerydin and call your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using Kerydin. The risks of using Kerydin during pregnancy or breastfeeding aren’t fully known, so it’s important to weigh the potential benefits against any possible risks.
Use in children
Kerydin hasn’t been studied in children under 6 years old, so it’s not known if it’s safe or effective for them. Talk to your pediatrician or dermatologist about other treatment options if your young child has a fungal infection.
Side Effects
Like all medications, Kerydin 5% topical solution can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and go away on their own. However, it’s important to be aware of potential issues and to contact your doctor if you have any concerns.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects reported in clinical trials were related to the application site. These included:
- Exfoliation (skin peeling)
- Ingrown toenail
- Erythema (redness)
- Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
Less Common Side Effects
Other side effects are possible, but less frequently reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about any new or unusual symptoms while using Kerydin.
Serious Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience serious side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any severe or unusual symptoms, especially those that seem like an allergic reaction.
Clinical Trial Data
Here’s a look at the percentage of people who experienced certain side effects in clinical trials for Kerydin, compared to those who used a vehicle (placebo):
- Application site exfoliation: 2.7% (Kerydin) vs. 0.3% (vehicle)
- Ingrown toenails: 2.5% (Kerydin) vs. 0.3% (vehicle)
- Application site erythema: 1.6% (Kerydin) vs. 0% (vehicle)
- Application site dermatitis: 1.3% (Kerydin) vs. 0% (vehicle)
Drug Interactions
It’s important to note that official drug interaction studies haven’t been conducted with Kerydin. So, to be safe, make sure your doctor knows everything you’re taking – even over-the-counter stuff and herbal supplements. You’d rather be safe than sorry, right?
Now, in vitro studies (that means studies done in a lab, not in a living person) show that Kerydin doesn’t mess with certain liver enzymes, which is good news. But still, tell your doctor about all your meds!
Clinical Studies and Efficacy
Kerydin’s effectiveness was evaluated in two nearly identical clinical trials, both of which were multicenter, double-blind, randomized, and vehicle-controlled. This means that people were assigned randomly to either the real medicine or a lookalike placebo, and neither the patients nor the researchers knew who was getting what.
So, how well did it work?
Not amazingly, to be honest. Let’s break down what they found. Researchers used two different definitions of “cure”:
- Complete cure: This means that the patient had both a negative fungal culture and a completely normal-looking big toenail.
- Mycologic cure: This just means that the fungal culture came back negative. The toenail might still look gnarly.
Here’s what they found:
- Complete cure rates: Trial 1 showed 6.5% with Kerydin versus 0.5% with the placebo. Trial 2 showed 9.1% with Kerydin versus 1.5% with the placebo.
- Mycologic cure rates: Trial 1 showed 31.1% with Kerydin versus 7.2% with the placebo. Trial 2 showed 35.9% with Kerydin versus 12.2% with the placebo.
So, while Kerydin did better than nothing, the results weren’t exactly earth-shattering.
Patient Counseling Information
When you’re using Kerydin, it’s really important to follow your doctor’s directions. Here’s what they’ll likely tell you:
- Apply it exactly as prescribed.
- Even if your toenail looks better, keep using Kerydin for the full 48 weeks. Don’t stop early!
- This stuff is flammable! Stay away from fire, flames, and smoking while you’re using it. Seriously.
- If your skin gets irritated or you have any other problems, call your doctor. Don’t just ignore it.
Basically, Kerydin can work well, but you’ve got to do your part by following the directions and being careful.
Closing Thoughts
Kerydin is a topical treatment that can help get rid of toenail fungus. It’s easy to apply, and you just paint it on the affected toenails daily for 48 weeks. To get the best results, it’s important to follow the directions for using Kerydin and to apply it every day for as long as your doctor tells you to.
If you have any questions or concerns about Kerydin or toenail fungus, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider.