tolnaftate at a glance
Medicine class
Topical thiocarbamate antifungal
Usual use
Athlete’s foot affecting the skin of the feet
Route
Applied externally to the skin as a spray
Practical point
Clean and thoroughly dry the affected skin before application
What is tolnaftate used for?
The selected spray is licensed for:
Treating athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
Preventing athlete’s foot from recurring
How does tolnaftate work?
Tolnaftate inhibits fungal squalene epoxidase, disrupting production of ergosterol, an important component of fungal cell membranes.
How to take tolnaftate
For external use only. Wash and thoroughly dry the affected area before applying the spray. Avoid the eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes, wash your hands afterwards, and do not deliberately inhale the spray.
Dry carefully between the toes.
Do not share towels, socks or footwear.
Keep feet dry and change into clean socks regularly.
tolnaftate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Local irritation, itching, burning or redness
- Contact dermatitis or a local rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Severe blistering or peeling skin
tolnaftate in pregnancy
Information specifically concerning tolnaftate spray in pregnancy is limited. Check the product leaflet and ask a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber before use because suitability differs between antifungal products and formulations.
tolnaftate while breastfeeding
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before using this formulation while breastfeeding. Do not apply it to the breast, prevent the infant from touching treated skin, and wash your hands after application.
Common questions about tolnaftate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tolnaftate a steroid?
No. It is an antifungal.
Can tolnaftate treat a fungal nail infection?
The selected spray is licensed for athlete’s foot, not fungal nail infection. Nail infection may need confirmation and a different treatment approach.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.