Two medicines, side by side
Ciclopirox vs terbinafine
Ciclopirox and terbinafine are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciclopirox since 1982 and of terbinafine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) and $0.143 per terbinafine HCl 250 mg tablet (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 terbinafine FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 17, 2025).
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 terbinafine record
Terbinafine (Lamisil) · label of October 17, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE Terbinafine tablets are indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate nail specimens for laboratory testing [potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy] should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.143 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciclopirox label of July 10, 2026, Terbinafine label of October 17, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciclopirox and terbinafine differ on the record?
Generics: ciclopirox since 2004; terbinafine since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciclopirox | Terbinafine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Allylamine Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | eady-state, in comparison to a single dose, the peak concentration of terbinafine is 25% higher and plasma AUC increases by a factor of 2.5; … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1982 | December 30, 1992 |
| First generic approved | August 6, 2004 | July 2, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) | $0.143 per tablet (Terbinafine HCl 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,937 | 8,847 |
| 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