In the U.S.—

• Antifungal, topical

Sertaconazole (ser-tah-KOE-na-zole) is used to treat infections caused by a fungus. It works by killing the fungus or yeast or preventing its growth. Sertaconazole is applied to your skin to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

• Cream (U.S.)

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

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sertaconazole or other antifungal medicines. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Sertaconazole has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether sertaconazole passes into breast milk. Mothers who are using this medicine and wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—This medicine has been tested in children and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. This medicine is to be used in children 12 years of age and older.

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. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical sertaconazole in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

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 topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Use sertaconazole as directed by your doctor. Your hands should be washed after applying the medicine to the affected area(s) of your skin. Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth and other mucus membranes. Sertaconazole is for external use only.

Dry the affected area(s) thoroughly before application, if you wish to use sertaconazole after bathing.

Use your medicine for the full treatment time recommended by your doctor, even though symptoms may have improved.

Avoid the use of bandages or gauze (occlusive dressings) unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Dosing—

The dose of sertaconazole 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 sertaconazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. Do not use this medication for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  • For athlete's foot:
    • Adults—Apply enough sertaconazole to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas and rub in gently
    • Children over the age of 12—Apply enough sertaconazole to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas and rub in gently

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use 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:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Inform your doctor if the area of application shows signs of increased skin irritation, redness, itching, burning, blistering, swelling or oozing.

It is very important that you check with your doctor in 2 weeks if your symptoms are not improving or if your conditions become worse.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• Incidence unknown
  • Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness or flaking of skin;  itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at application site;  darkening of skin;  dry skin;  flushing and redness of skin;  scaling, severe redness, soreness or swelling of skin;  peeling or loosening of skin;  skin tenderness ;  unusually warm skin 
  
  

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