Efinaconazole 10% nail solution: a new topical treatment with broad antifungal activity for onychomycosis monotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Topical therapies for onychomycosis are associated with less adverse events than systemic therapies, but poor nail penetration limits their efficacy. Consequently, an efinaconazole 10% nail solution was developed.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence supporting the usefulness of efinaconazole monotherapy in onychomycosis management.

METHODS

PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases and abstracts from the 2013 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology were searched in April 2013 using the terms "efinaconazole," "IDP-108," and "KP-103."

RESULTS

In vitro, efinaconazole possesses a broad antifungal activity similar or superior to that of other antifungals. Its low affinity for keratin results in good nail penetration. Efinaconazole 10% nail solution administered daily for 36 or 48 weeks to treat mild to moderate toenail onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes results in complete and mycologic cure rates of 15 to 25% and 53 to 87%, respectively. No serious skin reaction is associated with its use.

CONCLUSION

Efinaconazole 10% nail solution is a promising new treatment for onychomycosis.