Two medicines, side by side
Ciclopirox vs ketoconazole
Ciclopirox and ketoconazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciclopirox since 1982 and of ketoconazole since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) and $0.249 per gram (Ketoconazole 2% 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 ketoconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 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 ketoconazole record
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) · label of January 28, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsKetoconazole Cream 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum; in the treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare); in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida spp. and in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.249 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciclopirox label of July 10, 2026, Ketoconazole label of January 28, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciclopirox and ketoconazole differ on the record?
Generics: ciclopirox since 2004; ketoconazole since 1999 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciclopirox | Ketoconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | June 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | August 6, 2004 | June 15, 1999 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) | $0.249 per gram (Ketoconazole 2% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,937 | 17,282 |
| 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