Econazole Nitrate
Pronunciation: (ee-CON-uh-zole NYE-trate)Class: Topical, Antifungal
Trade Names:Spectazole- Cream 1%
Ecostatin (Canada)
Pharmacology
Increases cell membrane permeability in susceptible fungi.
Indications and Usage
Treatment of tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea corporis (ringworm), cutaneous candidiasis, tinea versicolor.
Contraindications
Standard considerations.
Dosage and Administration
Tinea Pedis, Tinea Cruris, Tinea Corporis, and Tinea VersicolorAdults and ChildrenTopical Apply sufficient quantity to cover affected areas every day. Treat tinea versicolor, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis for 2 wk and tinea pedis for 1 mo.
Cutaneous CandidiasisAdults and ChildrenTopical Apply twice daily morning and evening for 2 wk.
General Advice
For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.
Storage/Stability
Store cream at controlled room temperature (below 86°F). Keep tube tightly capped.
Drug Interactions
None well documented.
Laboratory Test Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Dermatologic
Burning, itching, stinging, erythema (3%).
Precautions
MonitorSkin conditionAssess and document skin condition before initial application and periodically throughout treatment. Inform health care provider if condition does not improve, worsens, or if application site reactions are bothersome. |
Pregnancy
Category C .
Lactation
Undetermined.
Patient Information
- Advise patient to try to keep affected areas as dry as possible because moist skin favors growth of fungi.
- Advise patient being treated for tinea cruris (jock itch) to avoid over-bathing, to dust drying powder into involved areas with excessive perspiration or skin folds caused by obesity, and to wear loose-fitting underwear.
- Advise patient being treated for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) to carefully dry between the toes after showering or bathing, apply drying and dusting powders as necessary, and change socks frequently.
- Teach patient or caregiver proper technique for applying cream: wash hands; apply sufficient cream to cover affected areas and gently massage into skin. Wash hands after applying cream.
- Advise patient to apply cream to affected areas once or twice daily as directed by health care provider.
- Caution patient to avoid contact with eyes. Advise patient that if cream does come into contact with the eyes to wash eyes with large amounts of cool water and contact health care provider if eye irritation occurs.
- Advise patient that symptoms should begin to improve soon after starting treatment but to continue applying cream as directed for full treatment period to prevent recurrence of infection.
- Advise patient to notify health care provider if condition does not improve, worsens, or if application site reactions (eg, burning, stinging, redness, itching) develop and are bothersome.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.
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