Fungal diseases are responsible for nearly 9 million outpatient visits in the United States. Some examples include ringworm, athlete’s foot, candidiasis, and jock itch.
Fortunately, most can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications. For instance, there are topical solutions that you can use for skin infections—Ciclopirox and Jublia being two of them.
How do they work? Are there any side effects? What are the main differences between Ciclopirox vs Jublia?
We’ll be going over the answers in detail below. For those who are interested, be sure to read until the end!
What Is Ciclopirox?
Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyrimidine antifungal agent that’s used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails. A topical solution works by preventing fungus from growing on the skin (the exact mechanism of action is unknown).
As far as dosing goes, it’s typically applied once a day—usually at bedtime. For the best results, trim your nails before your first treatment.
Use the applicator brush that’s attached to the cap and apply a thin layer to your nails and the skin underneath. Allow it to dry for at least 30 seconds before putting on a pair of socks.
Keep in mind, however, that it can take up to 6 months for you to see effects.
What Is Jublia?
Jublia is the brand name for efinaconazole, an azole antifungal that’s also effective at treating fungal nail infections. How does Jublia work? It inhibits an enzyme that prevents the synthesis of fungal cell membranes, which stops the fungus from growing and reproducing.
Like most topical fungal treatments, the Jublia solution works well when applied daily, usually for 48 weeks. In general, you’ll start to notice some improvement after a couple of months.
It’s important to note, however, that it won’t fix the parts of the nail that are already damaged. You’ll have to wait for them to grow out so that you can clip them off.
Ciclopirox vs Jublia: What Are the Main Differences?
Both medications are used to treat fungal infections—ones that haven’t penetrated past the skin. Jublia, however, tends to cost more than Ciclopirox. Why is Jublia so expensive? There’s no generic version of the drug.
Their indications are also different. Jublia is specifically used to treat toenail fungus while Ciclopirox can also be used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. The latter also comes in different dosage forms (e.g. cream, gel, or shampoo) whereas Jublia is only available as a topical solution.
In terms of side effects, however, they’re pretty similar. They can both cause itching, burning, swelling, or stinging where you applied the medication. In some cases, they can also cause discoloration of the nail.
Using Different Antifungal Medications
Now you know all about the differences between Ciclopirox vs Jublia! While they’re both antifungal medications, they work in different ways. The latter is also more expensive as it’s a brand-name drug.
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