Amorolfine for fungal nail infections (2024)

Amorolfine is used to treat fungal infections in fingernails or toenails. A fungal nail infection can often spread from a fungal skin infection. The infection causes your nail(s) to become thickened and discoloured, and can become painful. Although it may be necessary to take a course of antifungal tablets to treat a nail infection, some can be treated by applying an antifungal lacquer directly to the nail. This option may be suitable if the infection is just at the tip of your fingernail or toenail.

Amorolfine nail lacquer is suitable for use in adults. It is available on prescription and may be purchased from pharmacies or other retailers. You may need six months of treatment for fingernails, and up to a year for toenails.

Before using amorolfine

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using amorolfine nail lacquer it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If the infection covers more than half of your nail, or if more than two nails are infected.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take/use medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.

• If you have raised blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus) or have problems with your circulation.

• If you are taking any other medicines or using any other medicated skin preparations. This includes any which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine or to a skin preparation.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about amorolfine and how to apply the nail lacquer.

• First remove any previous nail lacquer with a cleaning pad provided in the pack and then gently file the affected nail with a nail file. Using the applicator provided, coat the infected nail with lacquer, making sure that you apply it to the whole of the nail. Leave the lacquer to dry for 3-5 minutes. Apply the nail lacquer in this way, once each week. Some doctors may recommend that you use the lacquer twice-weekly - if so, follow your doctor's directions.

• As much as possible, try to avoid getting the lacquer on the skin around your nail(s) as this may cause redness or irritation.

• Whilst the lacquer is drying, avoid any contact with the mouth, eyes or nose.

• Try to remember to use amorolfine regularly, as this will improve the outcome of your treatment.

• Use the diagrams in the manufacturer's information leaflet to make a record of how much of your nail is infected at the start of treatment.

• If after using amorolfine regularly for three months you do not feel there has been any improvement in your nail, make an appointment to visit your doctor for further advice.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your nails cut short, and file down any thickened nail. Use a separate nail file or pair of scissors to trim an infected nail. Do not share any nail files/scissors with anyone else.

• Try to avoid any irritation or damage to your nails.

• It would be better to avoid using artificial nails or any other nail lacquers/varnishes on nail(s) you are treating. If you are going to apply other products to affected nails, wait at least ten minutes after applying amorolfine and ensure you remove the product before your next application of amorolfine.

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with amorolfine nail lacquer. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of using a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this treatment, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store amorolfine

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

• Next review due: 6 Nov 2025

• 7 Nov 2022 | Latest version

  Last updated by

  Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

  Peer reviewed by

  Sid Dajani