Toenail Fungus Medication

Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, can drastically affects the appearance of your toenails, making them discolored, gnarled, and unsightly.  It is easy to contract, as the warm, moist environment of the shoes provides a perfect breeding ground for nail fungus.  But unfortunately, it is not so easy to treat.  Once toenail fungus takes hold, it’s kept in place by the nail plate, making the nail fungus very difficult to get rid of unless you use some type of anti-fungal treatment.  But not all toenail fungus medications are the same.  Here’s what you need to know to choose the product that will work best for you.

Do You Need Toenail Fungus Medication?

Do you think you may have toenail fungus? In most cases, toenail fungus can be easily diagnosed by its characteristic symptoms.  These include:

· Discoloration of the nails (yellow, green, brown, or black in color)
· Thickened and flaky nails.
· Debris build-up under the nail that causes a foul odor.
· Splitting of the nail.
· Pit marks on the nail.

If you are unsure about your condition, see your health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Toenail Fungus Medication

There are a variety of toenail fungus medications that you can choose from to treat your condition.  There are liquid and cream toenail fungus medications that you can apply topically to the affected area.  There are also a number of prescription or over the counter oral medications that you can use. 

One thing that you should keep in mind is that because your toenails are slow growing, it will take a number of months to treat your condition.  Be wary of any product that claims to be able to treat toenail fungus in just a few days.  In general, you should expect to see noticeable improvement within one or two months and a complete elimination of the fungus within about six to nine months.

The most common prescription toenail fungus medications are Itraconazole (Sporonox ®) and Terbinafine (Lamisil ®). Both of these medications are very expensive, costing as much as $900 for a complete three month treatment.  There are also a number of serious side effects associated with both of these drugs.  Mild side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, headache, taste disturbances and vertigo. Serious side effects include hepatitis and acute hepatic necrosis.

What’s worse, these medications are not terribly effective at treating toenail fungus.   And patients who use these products to treat their toenail fungus generally experience a recurrence of the condition in 15 percent of cases. 

Topical toenail fungus medications, such as Ciclopirox (Penlac ®) lacquer, can also be used; however, these products are considered even less effective than conventional oral drugs. Some studies have shown cure rates up to 60 percent, but most health experts quote an effectiveness rate closer to about 10-15 percent.  Topical toenail fungus medications are associated with side effects such as burning and redness around the nail.

Toenail Fungus Medication: Drug Interactions

Another thing to consider before choosing conventional toenail fungus medication is the drug interactions of these products.  Anti-fungal drugs may interact with a number of other medications, especially the prescriptions commonly taken by people with diabetes.  Be sure to tell your health care provider which medications you are currently taking. Certain prescription anti-fungal medications can cause adverse reactions when combined with drugs such as acetaminophen, estrogens, antacids, antidepressents, (such as fluoxetine), anticoagulants (such as warfarin), and alcohol.

Natural Toenail Fungus Medications

There are many home remedies and over the counter products that you can purchase to treat your toenail fungus.  In most cases, these products will be less expensive and come with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. Some home remedies that can be used to treat toenail fungus include bleach, tea tree oil, grapeseed extract, and Vics VapoRub®. In general these treatments are considered very safe.

But by far, the most effective home remedy for the treatment of toenail fungus is the all-natural supplement called Mycozil.  Mycozil is power-packed with anti-fungal agents such as pau D’arco, oregano oil, lemongrass, anise seed, Bacillus latersporus, and active horpito.  If you are looking for a safe and effective toenail fungus medication, look no further than Mycozil.

Jonathan N. Group, B.S., R.D., D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic
Registered Dietitian
CEO-Fungus Research, L.L.C.

Fungus Research L.L.C. recommends the potent, all natural formula Mycozil for the treatment of athlete's foot fungus, nail fungus, and toenail fungus.  Mycozil is a powerful internal anti-fungal formula, which is highly effective against all fungal infections. The ingredients in Mycozil have been clinically proven against fungal infections and are free from dangerous side effects.  It is also highly effective against internal Candida or yeast infections.  To read more about Mycozil or to place an order click here…