NAFTIFINE (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Naftin

In Canada?

• Naftin

Category

• Antifungal, topical

Description

Naftifine (NAF-ti-feen) is used to treat fungusinfections. 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 skinas determined by your doctor.

Naftifine is available with or without your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing 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 willdo. 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 orallergic reaction to naftifine. Also tell your health care professional ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?Topical naftifine has not been studied in pregnantwomen. However, naftifine, when given by mouth, has not been shown to causebirth 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. Motherswho are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss thiswith their doctor.

Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of naftifinein children with use in other age groups.

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

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.

Proper Use of This Medicine

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

The area to which you have applied naftifine should not be covered withan 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 surroundingareas, and rub in gently.
• After applying naftifine, wash your hands to remove any medicinethat may be on them.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using naftifine for the full time of treatment. You should keepusing 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 fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage 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 timesa 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 assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed 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 surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If yourskin infection does not improve within 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, checkwith your doctor.

To help clear up your skin infection completely andto help make sure it does not return, the following good health habits areimportant:

• 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 ormore often if your feet sweat very much.
  • Wear well-ventilated shoes (for example, shoes with holes on topor on the side) or sandals.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or anantifungal powder freely between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoesonce or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after naftifine has been appliedand has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatmentfor your fungus infection.
• For patients using naftifine for jock itch,these measures will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also helpkeep the groin area cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry the groin area after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from syntheticmaterials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cottonunderwear.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or anantifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder afternaftifine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use thepowder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
• For patients using naftifine for ringworm ofthe body, these measures will help keep the affected areas cool anddry:
  • Carefully dry yourself after bathing.
  • Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible. Try to keep moisturefrom building up on affected areas of the body.
  • Wear well-ventilated clothing.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or anantifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder afternaftifine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use thepowder 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 maygo away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, checkwith your doctor if any of these effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Less common

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