Two medicines, side by side
Ciclopirox vs tolnaftate
Ciclopirox and tolnaftate are both labeled for fungal infections. Pharmacies paid $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) and $0.119 per gram (Tolnaftate 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 tolnaftate FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 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 tolnaftate record
Tolnaftate · label of January 29, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsproven clinically effective in the treatment of most athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and ringworm (tinea corporis) helps prevent most athlete’s foot with daily use for effective relief of itching, burning, and cracking
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.119 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciclopirox label of July 10, 2026, Tolnaftate label of January 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciclopirox and tolnaftate differ on the record?
Generics: ciclopirox since 2004; tolnaftate none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciclopirox | Tolnaftate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1982 | n/a |
| First generic approved | August 6, 2004 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) | $0.119 per gram (Tolnaftate 1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | +7% |
| 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 | 1,394 |
| 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