Comprehensive medication guide to Ciclopirox including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic ciclopirox on most commercial plans; Tier 1–2 on most formularies; Medicare Part D covers generic ciclopirox with low or no copay for most plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$9–$40 retail for generic cream; $98–$151 retail for generic nail lacquer (8% solution, 6.6mL); as low as $9–$17 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons depending on formulation.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Ciclopirox is a broad-spectrum synthetic topical antifungal medication in the hydroxypyridone drug class. It is available in five formulations: cream (0.77%), gel (0.77%), shampoo (1%), topical suspension (0.77%), and nail lacquer solution (8%). Brand names include Penlac (nail lacquer), Loprox (cream and shampoo), and Ciclodan (nail solution), though most patients now use generic versions.
Ciclopirox has been available in the United States since the mid-1980s and treats a wide range of fungal infections of the skin, nails, and scalp. In 2023, more than 700,000 prescriptions were written for ciclopirox in the U.S., making it one of the most commonly prescribed topical antifungals. It requires a prescription and is not available over the counter.
Ciclopirox is not a controlled substance. Any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, dermatologists, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe it, including via telehealth.
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Ciclopirox works through a mechanism that is completely distinct from other antifungal drug classes. Most antifungals (azoles like ketoconazole, fluconazole, efinaconazole) work by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis — blocking the production of a key component of fungal cell membranes. Ciclopirox does not target ergosterol at all.
Instead, ciclopirox works primarily through metal chelation — it binds polyvalent metal cations (especially iron Fe3+ and aluminum Al3+) that are required for essential fungal enzymes. Without these metals, key cellular processes in the fungal cell shut down, including the detoxification of harmful hydrogen peroxide. This leads to accumulation of toxic compounds inside the fungal cell, ultimately killing it.
Research also suggests ciclopirox disrupts DNA repair, cell division structures (mitotic spindles), and intracellular transport in fungal cells — giving it what scientists call "pleiotropic" (multiple-target) activity. This broad mechanism explains why ciclopirox is effective against dermatophytes, Candida yeasts, and Malassezia, and why it doesn't share resistance mechanisms with azole antifungals.
0.77% — cream
Apply twice daily to affected skin for 2-4 weeks
0.77% — gel
Apply twice daily to affected skin or scalp
1% — shampoo
Apply to wet hair, lather, leave 3 minutes, rinse; use twice weekly for 4 weeks
0.77% — topical suspension
Apply twice daily to affected skin
8% — nail lacquer solution
Apply once daily to all affected nails; remove weekly with alcohol; continue for 48 weeks (approximately 11 months)
Ciclopirox is generally available in 2026 and is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. The cream formulation is widely stocked at all major pharmacy chains. The 8% nail lacquer solution and 1% shampoo, however, are stocked less consistently — particularly at smaller independent pharmacies and rural locations.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger) are the most reliable options for finding all ciclopirox formulations in stock. Smaller pharmacies may need to place a special order, which typically arrives within 1-2 business days. Seasonal demand for ciclopirox cream increases in warm months when tinea infections are more prevalent, which can occasionally cause temporary stock gaps.
If you're having trouble locating a specific ciclopirox formulation at your pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results — saving you from making calls yourself.
Because ciclopirox is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance, any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a ciclopirox prescription in the United States. No special registration, DEA number beyond standard prescribing credentials, or state-specific restrictions apply. Prescribers who commonly prescribe ciclopirox include:
Dermatologists — for nail fungus, seborrheic dermatitis, recurrent tinea, tinea versicolor
Podiatrists — for toenail onychomycosis, especially post-debridement maintenance
Primary care physicians (MD/DO) — for straightforward tinea infections and seborrheic dermatitis
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — full prescribing authority for ciclopirox in most states; commonly seen in primary care and dermatology practices
Urgent care providers — for acute, straightforward fungal skin infections without specialist referral
Ciclopirox can also be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. General telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive, Doctor on Demand) and dermatology telehealth services (Apostrophe, DermatologistOnCall) can evaluate fungal infections via video or photo-based consults and send the prescription directly to your pharmacy.
No. Ciclopirox is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It is a topical antifungal with no abuse potential, no addiction risk, and no regulatory restrictions beyond standard prescription requirements.
This means ciclopirox can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider in all 50 states without special DEA registration. It can be e-prescribed, called in, or faxed to any pharmacy. There are no limits on prescription quantity or refills beyond standard prescribing judgment. It can be prescribed via telehealth in any state without restriction.
Ciclopirox is very well-tolerated because it is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream (approximately 1.3% of the applied dose). Side effects are almost exclusively local reactions at the application site:
Itching (pruritus) at the application site
Burning or stinging sensation on application
Redness (erythema) around the treated area
Nail discoloration or changes (nail lacquer form)
Hair color change, especially with lighter hair (shampoo form)
Severe allergic reaction: Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, hives, rapid heartbeat — seek emergency care immediately
Contact sensitization: Severe blistering, swelling, oozing, or peeling at the application site
Worsening infection: Significant worsening of the treated area after 2-4 weeks of use
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Efinaconazole (Jublia)
10% topical solution for nail fungus; higher cure rates (15-18% complete cure) than ciclopirox; much more expensive ($400-$500/bottle without insurance)
Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Oral first-line therapy for nail fungus (70-80% cure rate); also available as OTC cream for athlete's foot and ringworm; significantly more effective than ciclopirox for onychomycosis
Tavaborole (Kerydin)
5% topical solution for nail fungus; FDA-approved 2014; boron-based mechanism; similar cure rates to efinaconazole; very expensive without insurance
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Azole antifungal available as shampoo (1% OTC, 2% Rx) and cream; direct alternative for seborrheic dermatitis and tinea infections; comparable efficacy to ciclopirox cream
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Nail cosmetics (nail polish, artificial nails)
moderateNot a systemic drug interaction, but nail polish and artificial nails should not be applied over ciclopirox nail lacquer as they block medication penetration to the nail bed.
Topical corticosteroids
minorUsing topical steroids in conjunction with ciclopirox on the same area is generally not recommended without prescriber guidance, as steroids may suppress local immune responses and reduce antifungal effectiveness.
Other systemic antifungals (terbinafine, itraconazole)
minorNo established pharmacologic interaction; ciclopirox is sometimes used as maintenance therapy alongside or following oral antifungal treatment for onychomycosis without known adverse interaction.
Ciclopirox is a well-established, broadly effective topical antifungal with an excellent safety profile. Its unique mechanism of action — distinct from azoles — makes it active against a wide range of fungi including dermatophytes, Candida, and Malassezia, and means it doesn't share resistance patterns with other antifungals. With over 700,000 prescriptions written annually in the U.S., it remains a mainstay of outpatient dermatology and primary care.
Generic ciclopirox is widely available and affordable with the right discount programs — GoodRx and SingleCare can reduce the cost of the nail lacquer from $100+ retail to under $20. The cream and shampoo forms are even more affordable. For patients without insurance, discount cards are a straightforward path to affordable treatment.
If you're having trouble filling your ciclopirox prescription at your local pharmacy, don't spend your afternoon on hold. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have ciclopirox in stock for your specific formulation, and texts you the results.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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