Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

Other drug names:  A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

Naftifine  (Topical)

Printer-friendly versionE-mail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Naftin

In Canada—

  • Naftin

Category


Description

Naftifine (NAF-ti-feen) is used to treat fungus infections. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth.

Naftifine is applied to the skin to treat:

This medicine may also be used for other fungus infections of the skin as determined by your doctor.

Naftifine is available with or without your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical naftifine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to naftifine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical naftifine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, naftifine, when given by mouth, has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—Topical naftifine is absorbed into the body. However, it is not known whether naftifine passes into the breast milk. In addition, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of naftifine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of naftifine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.



Proper Use of This Medicine

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and mucous membranes such as the inside of the nose, mouth, or vagina.

The area to which you have applied naftifine should not be covered with an occlusive dressing (airtight covering such as plastic wrap or bandage) unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

To use:

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using naftifine for the full time of treatment. You should keep using this medicine for 1 to 2 weeks after your symptoms have disappeared. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing—

The dose of naftifine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of naftifine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your skin infection does not improve within 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your skin infection completely and to help make sure it does not return, the following good health habits are important:

If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of these effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.



Revised: 07/25/1994

Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer

Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.