Two medicines, side by side
Clotrimazole vs ciclopirox
Clotrimazole and ciclopirox are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clotrimazole since 1975 and of ciclopirox since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.133 per gram (Clotrimazole 1% topical cream) and $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the clotrimazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the ciclopirox FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2026).
Highlights of the clotrimazole record
Clotrimazole (Cvs) · label of January 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClotrimazole cream USP is indicated for the topical treatment of candidiasis due to Candida albicans and tinea versicolor due to Malassezia furfur. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 3, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.133 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clotrimazole label of January 30, 2026, Ciclopirox label of July 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clotrimazole and ciclopirox differ on the record?
Generics: clotrimazole since 1993; ciclopirox since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clotrimazole | Ciclopirox | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Azole Antifungal | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 3, 1975 | December 30, 1982 |
| First generic approved | July 16, 1993 | August 6, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.133 per gram (Clotrimazole 1% topical cream) | $0.169 per gram (Ciclopirox 0.77% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,230 | 2,937 |
| 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 clotrimazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions