Two medicines, side by side
Econazole vs terbinafine
Econazole and terbinafine are both labeled for fungal infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of econazole since 1982 and of terbinafine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% 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. In FDA's classes, econazole is an azole antifungal and terbinafine an allylamine antifungal.
Check it at the source: the econazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026); the terbinafine FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 17, 2025).
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 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 (Econazole label of June 22, 2026, Terbinafine label of October 17, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do econazole and terbinafine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, econazole is an azole antifungal and terbinafine an allylamine antifungal.
Generics: econazole since 2002; terbinafine since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Econazole | Terbinafine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fungal infections | Fungal infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Azole Antifungal | 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 23, 1982 | December 30, 1992 |
| First generic approved | November 26, 2002 | July 2, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.351 per gram (Econazole nitrate 1% cream) | $0.143 per tablet (Terbinafine HCl 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +7% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 920 | 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 econazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions