Tavaborole

Tavaborole is a topical antifungal medication used to treat fungal infections of the toenails and fingernails. It is applied directly to the affected areas of the nails and works by killing the fungus that causes the infection. Tavaborole is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Common side effects of Tavaborole include temporary itching, stinging, redness, and burning at the application site.

Tavaborole is a topical antifungal medication used specifically to treat onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenail and nail bed. It's sold under the brand name Kerydin. Here's a breakdown of its key features:

• Medical Use: Treats onychomycosis (fungal toenail infection)
• Brand Name: Kerydin
• How it Works: Tavaborole disrupts the fungus's ability to produce proteins it needs to survive. It inhibits an enzyme called leucyl-tRNA synthetase, which is crucial for protein synthesis in fungi.

Effectiveness:

• It's important to note that tavaborole has a modest cure rate for onychomycosis. In clinical trials, it completely cleared the infection in 6-7% of cases and partially cleared it in 23-24%.

Treatment Duration:

• Tavaborole is a topical solution applied directly to the infected toenail(s) once daily for a lengthy period – typically 48 weeks.

Side Effects:

• While generally well-tolerated, tavaborole can cause some side effects at the application site, including:
  • Dermatitis (inflammation)
  • Erythema (redness)
  • Exfoliation (flaking)
  • Ingrown toenail (in rare cases)