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In the U.S.—

Mentax

• Antifungal (topical)

Butenafine ( byoo-TEN-a-feen) is used to treat fungus infections. It works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth. Butenafine is applied to the skin to treat:

• athlete's foot (ringworm of the foot; tinea pedis);
• jock itch (ringworm of the groin; tinea cruris);
• ringworm of the body (tinea corporis);
• fungal infection on the skin of the chest, back and shoulders (tinea versicolor).

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

Topical
• 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 topical butenafine, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy—Topical butenafine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, it has not been found to cause birth defects or other problems in studies in animals.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical butenafine passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—There is no specific information comparing use of butenafine 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. Although there is no specific information comparing use of butenafine in the elderly with use in other age groups, clinical studies included older patients. No differences in effects of butenafine were seen in the elderly compared with younger adults.

Apply enough butenafine to cover the affected skin and surrounding areas, and rub in gently.

After applying butenafine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

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

Do not bandage or apply an occlusive dressing (airtight covering such as kitchen plastic wrap) over this medicine unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using butenafine for the full time of treatment. It may sometimes take quite a while for a fungus infection to be cured. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms will return.

Dosing—

The dose of butenafine 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 butenafine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  • For fungus infections:
    • Adults and teenagers—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once or twice a day, as ordered by your doctor.
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

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:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

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

Tinea versicolor may cause skin to appear darker or lighter, or spots of both. These changes in color can last for months even when the fungal infection has been eliminated. Continuing treatment longer than recommended will not cause skin color to return to normal faster. Consult your physician if you believe the fungal infection may have returned.

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

• For patients using butenafine for athlete's foot, these measures will help keep the feet cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat very much.
  • Wear well-ventilated shoes (for example, shoes with holes on top or on the side) or sandals.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoes once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
• For patients using butenafine for jock itch, these measures will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also keep the groin area cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry the groin area after bathing.
  • Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (for example, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.
• For patients using butenafine for ringworm of the body, these measures will help keep the affected area cool and dry:
  • Carefully dry yourself after bathing.
  • Avoid too much heat and humidity if possible. Try to keep moisture from building up on affected areas of the body.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • Use a bland, absorbent powder (for example, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder freely once or twice a day. Be sure to use the powder after butenafine has been applied and has disappeared into the skin. Do not use the powder as the only treatment for your fungus infection.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Blistering, burning, itching, oozing, stinging, swelling, or other signs of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine;  rash;  redness 
  
  

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

Developed: 08/07/1998

Revised: 05/02/2002