Efinaconazole 10% solution: a comprehensive review of its use in the treatment of onychomycosis.

Abstract

Introduction: Onychomycosis is an infection of the nail bed and the nail plate. While oral antifungals are first-line for moderate-to-severe onychomycosis, topical efinaconazole 10% solution (JUBLIA®; Clenafin®) is effective and safe for mild-to-moderate severity onychomycosis. It is FDA-approved for patients aged 6 years and above.

Areas covered: This literature review includes pharmacokinetics, microbiology, efficacy, safety, and post-marketing surveillance. It demonstrates consistent safety and efficacy across diverse patient demographics and comorbidities, including pediatric, diabetic and the elderly populations, without systemic side effects or drug interactions.

Expert opinion: Efinaconazole 10% solution is an important addition to the armamentarium of therapies available to treat onychomycosis. Certain subgroups respond particularly well: females versus males, children versus adults, early onset onychomycosis (<1-year disease), those with mild onychomycosis (≤25% nail involvement), absence of tinea pedis, and thin nail plates at baseline (<1 mm thickness). Efinaconazole 10% solution is effective in diabetics and has demonstrated efficacy against dermatophytomas. Efinaconazole may be a consideration when terbinafine resistance is a concern, due to its different target of action.