Two medicines, side by side
Econazole vs ketoconazole
Econazole and ketoconazole are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of econazole since 1982 and of ketoconazole since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% 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 econazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026); the ketoconazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 2026).
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
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 (Econazole label of June 22, 2026, Ketoconazole label of January 28, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do econazole and ketoconazole differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class azole antifungals.
Generics: econazole since 2002; ketoconazole since 1999 (Drugs@FDA).
| Econazole | Ketoconazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Azole Antifungal | Azole Antifungal |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 1982 | June 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | November 26, 2002 | June 15, 1999 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% cream) | $0.249 per gram (Ketoconazole 2% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +7% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 920 | 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 econazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions