If You Have Toenail Fungus, There Are Three Treatment Options To Consider:
SURGICAL REMOVAL
A specialist can surgically remove the nail and the fungus below. This is expensive, painful and invasive, but highly effective.
TOPICAL TREATMENTS
A variety of topical creams exist which are marketed to treat toenail fungus. Only a small number of formulations have been found effective, but if the correct product is chosen this is by far the safest and least invasive form of toenail fungus treatment.
ORAL MEDICATION
Prescription pills are available which can address nail fungus. These medications are not 100% effective and involve some risk of liver damage
Medication Comparison:
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Compare Topical Treatments (over-the-counter)
- Compare Prescription (Rx) Treatments
- Topical Rx Treatments
- Oral Rx Treatments
TOP 5 TOPICAL NAIL FUNGUS TREATMENTS (2017):
Below are the top rated over-the-counter topical nail fungus treatments on market – each has been thoroughly evaluated by our editors, health professionals, and fellow Nail Fungus sufferers. All of the following treatments are topical solutions to Nail Fungus. The chart at the bottom of this page explains the advantages of Topical medication over Oral and Surgical options.
EmoniNail™  | Funginix  | Zetaclear  | Naturasil  | Nail Rx  |
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| 1. Treatment Rating | 99.5 / 100 | 89.7 / 100 | 86.5 / 100 | 80.1 / 100 | 78.4 / 100 |
| 2. Customer Rating |  |  |  |  | |
| 3. Editor Review | |||||
| 4. MSRP | $59.95 Visit Official Site | $59.95 | $49.95 | $35.95 | $49.95 |
| 5. Patients Treated (est.) | 20,000+ | 20,000+ | 20,000+ | 10,000 - 20,000 | 10,000 - 20,000 |
| 6. Success Rate* | 89.4% | 83.2% | 76.1% | 71.1% | 68% |
| 7. Treatment Time | Shortest (1-2 Months) | Average (2-4 Months) | Average (2-4 Months) | Average (2-4 Months) | Long (3-6 Months) |
| 8. Product Safety | Safe to Use | Safe to Use | Safe to Use | Safe to Use | Safe to Use |
| 9. Return Policy | Risk Free | Restock Fee | Risk Free | Risk Free | Unknown |
| 10. Customer Support | | | | | |
If your nails are infected with Nail Fungus there are two actions you must now take: (1) Find treatment and (2) understand how to use that treatment. Our Treatment Guide provides step-by-step instructions for achieving maximum effectiveness with topical treatments.
Review of Our Top Pick Topical (OTC) Nail Fungus Treatment
| EmoniNail | RANK: #1 |
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Review Summary |
 EmoniNail is our top-most recommended product for the topical treatment of fingernail and toenail fungus. The superior blend of proven ingredients make EmoniNail an effective* formula to dramatically improve the vitality and appearance of the nail bed and surrounding skin. The formulation, which was last updated in 2016 combines a powerful anti-fungal active ingredient with nail penetrating essential oils which can result* in superior effectiveness in the treatment of nail fungus. This conclusion of superiority is supported by our customer reviews and an overall success rate higher than any other product on the market. Users consistently observe a reduction of redness, pain, and irritation within weeks*. Within months the average users sees complete removal of visible nail fungus. The vast majority (95%+) of users experience regrowth of clear, revitalized, fungal-free nails*. We recommend EmoniNail in conjunction with diligent adherence to our treatment guide for maximum effectiveness. Active Ingredient: Undecylenic Acid, 10% Means of Nail Penetration: Tea Tree Oil |
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Top 30 Topical (OTC) Nail Fungus Products (2017)
Top 30 Topical (OTC) Nail Fungus Products (2024)
| Rank | Product | Treatment Rating | Editor Review | Patients Treated (est.) | Success Rate* | Rank Change | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EmoniNail | 99.5 / 100 | 20,000+ | 89.2% | +1 | $59.95 Visit Official Site |
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| 2 | Funginix (Fungisil) | 89.7 / 100 | 20,000+ | 83.2% | -1 | $59.95 | |
| 3 | Zetaclear | 86.5 / 100 | 20,000+ | 76.1% | +1 | $49.95 | |
| 4 | Dermisil | 80.1 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 71.1% | -1 | $29.95 | |
| 5 | Nail Rx | 78.4 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 68% | 0 | $39.95 | |
| 6 | Pedifix Fungasoap | 71.1 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 67% | -3 | $49.95 | |
| 7 | Opi Fungus Fix | 69.6 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 66% | 0 | $44.95 | |
| 8 | Omega Labs Fungus Treatment | 68.1 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 65% | 0 | $34.95 | |
| 9 | Fungi Nail Brand | 67.9 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 56.4% | 0 | $25.95 | |
| 10 | Excilor | 65.7 / 100 | 10,000 - 20,000 | 52% | 0 | $21.95 | |
| 11 | Dr G. | 63.4 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 49% | 0 | $29.95 | |
| 12 | Claripro | 60.9 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 47% | 0 | $29.95 | |
| 13 | Blue Goo | 59.8 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 47% | +1 | $9.95 | |
| 14 | Amoresse Thymol | 57.4 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 44% | 0 | $29.95 | |
| 15 | Good N Natural Nail Fungus | 56.1 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 43% | +2 | $15.99 | |
| 16 | Keractil | 55.4 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 39% | 0 | $19.95 | |
| 17 | Mycocide | 54.3 / 100 | 5,000 - 10,000 | 38% | 0 | $9.95 | |
| 18 | Pedi-Cure | 50.8 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 38% | 0 | n/a | |
| 19 | Barielle Fungus RX | 49.7 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 37% | +1 | $15.95 | |
| 20 | OPI Fungus Fix (2003 Formula) | 49.1 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 36% | 0 | $19.95 | |
| 21 | FungaSoap (Original Formula) | 48.9 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 35% | 0 | $8.14 | |
| 22 | Saprox | 48.2 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 35% | 0 | $42.90 | |
| 23 | Deggurcide | 47.2 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 34% | 0 | $39.95 | |
| 24 | Anidulafungin (Eraxis) | 46.3 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 33% | 0 | $49.95 | |
| 25 | Nail Tek | 45.1 / 100 | 1,000 - 5,000 | 32% | 0 | $8.40 | |
| 26 | PurNail | 43.5 / 100 | < 1,000 | 31.2% | -5 | $54.95 | |
| 27 | Lamisil Terbinafine | 42.1 / 100 | < 1,000 | 30.9% | 0 | $12.95 | |
| 28 | Varisi | 41.3 / 100 | < 1,000 | 29.9% | 0 | $9.95 | |
| 29 | Tineacide | 40.4 / 100 | < 1,000 | 33.3% | 0 | $15.36 | |
| 30 | Tammy Taylor Thymolize | 39.6 / 100 | < 1,000 | 32% | +1 | $13.23 | |
| 31 | Radiant Health | 38.5 / 100 | < 1,000 | 32% | -1 | $19.95 |
Topical Prescription Drugs which are used to Fight Fungal Infections of the Nails
Topical prescription remedies may be used alone or with oral agents. One benefit of using topical remedies is that the medication may be applied directly to infected areas. The risk of systemic complications due to side effects is reduced. Theoretically, more medicine should get directly to the area which needs treatment.
A down side of using topical preparations is that more time may be needed for administration when compared with the amount of time required to take oral drugs. Unless topical remedies are well formulated, many of the healing properties may not be available, as absorption into the nails and surrounding tissues may be poor. Topical remedies are more likely to cause localized irritation than oral remedies do. It may be more difficult to use a topical remedy on your toenails if you have mobility issues. The cost of prescription treatments may be prohibitive.
The following charts compare the benefits and shortcomings of currently available FDA approved oral medications which are used to treat fungal infections of the nails.
| Generic Name | Brand Names | Average Monthly Cost | How Used | Benefits | Precautions and Potential Side Effects |
| Tavaborole |  Kerydin | $1265.00 for a 10mL. Bottle | Applied directly to the toenails daily for 48 weeks. | Serious negative reactions are rare. | Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or hives. Irritation, redness, itching, swelling, or peeling of the tissues surrounding the treated nail may occur. Ingrown toenails may develop. Promptly wipe the medication off of your skin if it gets on it. Do not apply medication to any tissues except affected nails. The medication is flammable. |
| Efinaconazole |  Jublia | $468.00 for 4 mL | Apply to the infected nail and surrounding skin daily for 48 weeks. | Serious negative reactions to the medication are rare. | Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, irritation or pain at the application site, blisters, or if you develop an ingrown toenail. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Avoid use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The medication is flammable. |
| Ciclopirox |  Penlac | $930.00 for Penlac brand 6.6 mL $30.00 for generic, 6.6mL | Apply this nail lacquer directly to the nails every day. Do not wash the area for at least 8 hours. Use alcohol to remove the medication from your nails. The medication may need to be used for 48 weeks to be fully effective. | Serious negative reactions to the medication are rare. Reduces the rate of reinfection by 70% | Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, irritation or pain at the application site, blisters, or if you develop an ingrown toenail. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Avoid use while breastfeeding. The medication is flammable. Cure rate to get rid of infection is only 7% Notify your doctor of all medications which you take. Be sure that he or she knows your complete health history. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, diabetes or an immune problem. |
Oral Prescription Medications which are Used to Treat Fungal Infections of the Nails
If you choose to take an oral medication to treat your nail fungus; there are several agents for your health care provider and you to choose from. The success rates of oral medications which are used to treat nail infections are approximately fifty percent. Even if the infection is deemed “cured”, it usually recurs in between two and five out of ten people. (Del Rosso, 2014) Oral medications are generally easier to use than topical remedies. They are more likely to cause detrimental side effects than topical agents.
Almost all of the oral agents possess potential side effects which can only be described as very dangerous and potentially life threatening. If you choose to use an oral agent, be sure that you and your doctor discuss your health history and current medications in detail.
It is essential that you weigh the risks of treatment carefully with the potential benefits. While nail fungus is not life threatening, nor does it cause serious illness; the drugs which are used to treat the condition may cause serious illnesses or in rare cases, deafness or death. If you have underlying health issues, are pregnant, want to become pregnant or are breastfeeding it is critically important that you learn everything you can about the treatment before starting an oral medication as the drugs may cause harm to your baby.
The following charts compare the benefits and shortcomings of currently available FDA approved oral medications which are used to treat fungal infections of the nails.
| Generic Name | Brand Names | Average Monthly Cost | How Used | Benefits | Precautions and Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griseofulvin | Fulvicin, Gifulvin, Gris-Peg | Brand name $240.00/ 30 500mg.tablet Generic $180.00/ 30 500mg. tablets | Take the medication by mouth on a daily basis. It must be taken for up to one year to resolve infections of the nails. | Treats discoloration of nails. | Not recommended for use if liver disease, lupus, or porphyria is present. Does not work well for fungal infections of the nails. Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, numbness or tingling of the extremities, changes in mood, confusion, sunburn-like rash, hearing changes, butterfly-shaped facial rash, joint or muscle pain. Notify your doctor if these side effects occur: yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, changes in urination, fever, or sore throat. Prolonged use of this medication may encourage the development yeast infections of the mouth and vagina. Do not use if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing. May damage an unborn baby. Males should avoid impregnating a female. It is unknown if the medication continues to affect sperm after use is discontinued. Avoid alcohol and limit sun exposure. A complete blood count, liver, and kidney function tests must be performed periodically during treatment. |
| Terbinafine | Lamisil | Lamisil brand (30) 250 mg. tablets $700.00 Generic (30) 250 mg. tablets $6.00 | Dosing regimen varies | Few side effects. 35-50% cure rate for fungal infections of the nails. Inexpensive if generic drug is used. | May cause gastrointestinal distress and be harmful for individuals who have liver disease. Abnormalities of the liver enzymes, drug-induced hepatitis and drug interactions are less frequent compared to itraconazole. (Leelavathi, 2014) Changes in the sense of taste may occur. Limit alcohol consumption and sun exposure while taking. Use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is not recommended. Seek medical help if the following occur: fever, sore throat, swollen glands, mouth sores, blood in urine, dark colored urine, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, hives, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting which does not go away, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or loss of appetite. |
| Iitraconazole | Sporanox | Brand name: (60) 100 mg. capsules $1380.00 Generic (60) 100 mg. capsules $380.00 | Dosing schedules may vary. Usually taken twice daily. Sometimes used for pulse, intermittent, dosing. Take the medication on a full stomach. Do not take at the same time as antacids. Take with a cola beverage if you use medications which reduce stomach acid or if you suffer from achlorhydria. | 25-40% cure rate for fungal infections of the nails. | Low cure rate, especially for toenail infections. Not approved by the FDA as a treatment for fungal infections of the toenails. May interact with many other medications; especially antibiotics and medications used to treat asthma. Make sure your doctor has a complete list of medications which you are taking before starting to use this medication. The drug may cause life threatening cardiac problems if combined with certain types of medications. Do not use this medication if you have specific types of heart problems, including congestive heart failure, as life threatening reactions may occur. May promote liver problems including hepatitis. Use caution if underlying liver disease is present. Monitor liver function tests during treatment. Notify your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting which does not go away, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or loss of appetite as rare, and possibly fatal reactions may occur. Do not use if you have kidney disease. Use with caution if you have COPD. Be sure that your doctor is aware of your complete medical history if using this medication because it has harmful effects when certain illnesses are present. Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or hives, swelling of the legs or feet, sudden tiredness, or weight gain. May cause dizziness or drowsiness. Older adults have an increased risk of hearing loss if this drug is used. Hearing loss may be temporary or permanent. Ringing in the ears may occur when this medication is employed. Do not use if you plan to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Take measures to prevent conception for at least two months after discontinuing the use of this medication. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience: a fever, persistent sore throat, changes in urination or sexual activity, hair loss, a fast or irregular heartbeat, depression, or enlarged breasts if you are male. |
| Fluconazole | Diflucan | (30) 150 mg generic tablets $8.00. Due to variable dosing regimens, cost may be more. | Dosing schedules are variable. | Inexpensive | Not as effective as other antifungal agents used to treat nail infections. May interact with other medications including, but not limited to, those used to treat seizure disorders and diabetes. The medicine may increase the risk of bleeding if used in conjunction with blood thinners. May interact with antibiotics. Seek medical assistance if you experience: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or hives. May cause dizziness, headache, rash changes in taste and digestive upsets. Caution must be used if liver or kidney problems are present. May cause liver damage. White blood count cell and platelet levels may decrease when used. Adverse reactions are more likely to occur if HIV infection is present. A rash may occur. Notify your doctor if it does. |
