Brand Names

Category

• Antifungal, topical

Description

Naftifine (NAF-ti-feen) is used to treat fungus infections. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth.

Naftifine is applied to the skin to treat:

• athlete's foot (ringworm of the foot; tinea pedis);
• jock itch (ringworm of the groin; tinea cruris); and
• ringworm of the body (tinea corporis).

This medicine may also be used for other fungus infections of the skin as determined by your doctor.

Naftifine is available with or without your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical naftifine, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to naftifine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy--Topical naftifine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, naftifine, when given by mouth, has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding--Topical naftifine is absorbed into the body. However, it is not known whether naftifine passes into the breast milk. In addition, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of naftifine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of naftifine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and mucous membranes such as the inside of the nose, mouth, or vagina .

The area to which you have applied naftifine should not be covered with an occlusive dressing (airtight covering such as plastic wrap or bandage) unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

To use:

• Apply enough naftifine to cover the affected skin and surrounding areas, and rub in gently.
• After applying naftifine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using naftifine for the full time of treatment . You should keep using this medicine for 1 to 2 weeks after your symptoms have disappeared. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing--The dose of naftifine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of naftifine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For fungus infections:
  • For cream dosage form:
    • Adults--Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day.
    • Children--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For gel dosage form:
    • Adults--Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, morning and evening.
    • Children--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage--To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your skin infection does not improve within 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your skin infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, the following good health habits are important :

• For patients using naftifine for athlete's foot , these measures will help keep the feet cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat very much.
  • Wear well-ventilated shoes (for example, shoes with holes on top or on the side) or sandals.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoes once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after naftifine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
• For patients using naftifine for jock itch , these measures will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also help keep the groin area cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry the groin area after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after naftifine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
• For patients using naftifine for ringworm of the body , these measures will help keep the affected areas cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry yourself after bathing.
  • Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible. Try to keep moisture from building up on affected areas of the body.
  • Wear well-ventilated clothing.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after naftifine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.

If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of these effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Less common

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 07/25/94

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