Two medicines, side by side
Ciclopirox vs econazole
Ciclopirox and econazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciclopirox since 1982 and of econazole since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) and $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the ciclopirox FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2026); the econazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026).
Highlights of the ciclopirox record
Ciclopirox (Loprox) · label of July 10, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications(To understand fully the indication for this product, please read the entire INDICATION AND USAGE section of the labeling.) Ciclopirox topical solution, USP 8% as a component of a comprehensive management program, is indicated as topical treatment in immunocompetent patients with mild to moderate onychomycosis of fingernails and toenails without lunula involvement, due to Trichophyton rubrum. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.169 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the econazole record
Econazole (Spectazole) · label of June 22, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsEconazole nitrate cream is indicated for topical application in the treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis, Microsporum audouini, Microsporum gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum, in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis, and in the treatment of tinea versicolor.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.351 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciclopirox label of July 10, 2026, Econazole label of June 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciclopirox and econazole differ on the record?
Generics: ciclopirox since 2004; econazole since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciclopirox | Econazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Azole Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1982 | December 23, 1982 |
| First generic approved | August 6, 2004 | November 26, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) | $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | +7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,937 | 920 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to ciclopirox
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions