Ciclopirox 0.77% Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Creams/ Gel/ Lotion

Available Strengths: 0.77%

Reference Brands: Loprox (USA), Penlac (USA/EU)

Category: Anti-fungal

Ciclopirox is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent used to treat skin and nail fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm, and onychomycosis. It works by inhibiting the transport of essential elements into fungal cells, thereby disrupting cell metabolism and growth.

Product Description:

Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyridone antifungal, chemically unrelated to the azoles and allylamines. It does not block ergosterol synthesis; it chelates trivalent metal cations — iron and aluminium — that several fungal enzymes depend on, including cytochromes and catalase. Because the mechanism is different, there is no cross-resistance with azoles, and it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, which is useful when a rash is not purely fungal.

It is used for dermatophyte infections of the skin, cutaneous candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis, where its activity against Malassezia and its anti-inflammatory effect both contribute. It penetrates hair follicles and the stratum corneum well. Local burning, itching and redness are the usual adverse effects. An 8% nail lacquer formulation exists for onychomycosis, but that is a different product with different application and much longer treatment, and its cure rates alone are modest.

Sourcing notes. Cream, gel, lotion, shampoo and nail lacquer are separate registrations with different strengths and different buyers — the shampoo in particular is a large consumer-facing product. Off patent. The vehicle affects penetration and cosmetic acceptability more than the active does.