What Is Ertaczo? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Ertaczo Is a Prescription Antifungal Cream Used to Treat Athlete's Foot

Ertaczo (Sertaconazole Nitrate) is a prescription topical antifungal cream used to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis) — specifically the type that occurs between the toes. If you've been prescribed this medication or are researching it, here's everything you need to know about what it is, how to use it, who it's for, and how much it costs.

What Is Ertaczo?

Ertaczo is the brand name for Sertaconazole Nitrate cream 2%. It belongs to the azole (imidazole) class of antifungal medications — the same family as common antifungals like Clotrimazole and Miconazole, but available only by prescription.

Here are the key details:

• Brand name: Ertaczo
• Generic name: Sertaconazole Nitrate
• Drug class: Topical azole antifungal (imidazole)
• Manufacturer: Manufactured by DPT Laboratories, Ltd. and distributed by Coral Way Pharma, LLC. Ertaczo is a trademark of Lacer Pharma, LLC.
• FDA-approved: Yes — for interdigital tinea pedis in patients 12 years and older
• Controlled substance: No — Ertaczo is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling
• Generic available: No — there is currently no generic version of Ertaczo available in the United States

What Is Ertaczo Used For?

FDA-Approved Use

Ertaczo is FDA-approved for the topical treatment of interdigital tinea pedis (athlete's foot between the toes) in immunocompetent patients aged 12 and older. The specific fungi it's proven effective against include:

• Trichophyton rubrum
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes
• Epidermophyton floccosum

These are the three most common fungi responsible for athlete's foot infections.

Off-Label Uses

While only FDA-approved for athlete's foot, doctors sometimes prescribe Ertaczo off-label for other fungal skin infections, including:

• Tinea corporis (ringworm)
• Tinea cruris (jock itch)
• Tinea manuum (hand ringworm)
• Tinea versicolor
• Cutaneous candidiasis (yeast infections of the skin)

Off-label use is legal and common in medicine. Your doctor may prescribe Ertaczo for these conditions based on clinical evidence and their judgment.

How Is Ertaczo Taken?

Ertaczo comes as a topical cream (2%). Each gram contains 17.5 mg of Sertaconazole (as 20 mg Sertaconazole Nitrate) in a white cream base.

Standard Dosing

• How much: Apply a sufficient amount to cover both the affected areas between the toes and the immediately surrounding healthy skin
• How often: Twice daily
• How long: 4 weeks (28 days)

Application Tips

• Dry the affected area thoroughly before applying, especially after bathing
• Wash your hands after applying the cream
• Do not wrap or cover the treated area with bandages or occlusive dressings
• Ertaczo is for topical use only — do not use it in your eyes, mouth, or vaginal area
• Complete the full 4-week course even if your symptoms improve before then. Stopping early increases the risk of the infection coming back.

For more on how this medication works in your body, see our article on how Ertaczo works.

Who Should Not Take Ertaczo?

Ertaczo has no listed contraindications in its prescribing information, which is unusual for a prescription medication. However, you should exercise caution and talk to your doctor if:

• You have a known allergy to azole antifungals (such as Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, or Miconazole) — cross-reactivity is possible
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding — there are no adequate human studies, though animal studies did not show birth defects at recommended doses
• The patient is under 12 years old — Ertaczo has not been established as safe or effective in children younger than 12
• You are 65 or older — there isn't enough clinical data to determine if older adults respond differently

For a complete breakdown of potential reactions, check our Ertaczo side effects guide.

How Much Does Ertaczo Cost?

Ertaczo is one of the more expensive topical antifungals on the market:

• Cash price: $897–$1,070 per tube (without insurance)
• With coupons: Approximately $447–$897 using GoodRx, InsideRx, or other discount cards
• Generic available: No — there is no generic Sertaconazole in the U.S., which contributes to the high price

Insurance Coverage

Ertaczo is covered by most Medicare and commercial insurance plans, but often with restrictions:

• Prior authorization may be required
• Step therapy — your insurer may require you to try cheaper alternatives first (like OTC Clotrimazole or Terbinafine)
• Some plans classify Ertaczo as a non-preferred brand, meaning higher copays

Savings Options

There are several ways to reduce the cost:

• GoodRx and InsideRx coupons — Can cut the price significantly
• SingleCare and SaveHealth discount cards
• Patient assistance programs — Check NeedyMeds.org, RxAssist.org, and RxHope.com

For a detailed breakdown of all savings options, see our guide on how to save money on Ertaczo.

Alternatives

If the cost is a barrier, there are several effective alternatives for athlete's foot that cost significantly less:

• Lamisil (Terbinafine) — Available OTC for under $15
• Lotrimin (Clotrimazole) — Available OTC for $8–$15
• Naftin (Naftifine) — Prescription, with generic available
• Luzu (Luliconazole) — Prescription, applied once daily

Learn more about these options in our alternatives to Ertaczo guide.

Final Thoughts

Ertaczo is a prescription-strength topical antifungal that's effective against the most common causes of athlete's foot. While it's a solid treatment option, its high cost and brand-only status mean you'll want to plan ahead — check your insurance coverage, explore savings programs, and confirm pharmacy availability before filling your prescription.

If you need help finding Ertaczo in stock at a pharmacy near you, Medfinder can help. And if you have questions about whether Ertaczo is right for your situation, talk to your dermatologist or primary care provider.