Exelderm

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 7/14/2023

Drug Summary

What is Exelderm and how is it used?

Exelderm is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Tinea Corpis (Ringworm), Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch), Tinea Versicolor (yeast infection of the skin) and Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot). Exelderm may be used alone or with other medications.

Exelderm belongs to a class of drugs called Antifungals, Topical.

It is not known if Exelderm is safe and effective in children.

What Are Side Effects of Exelderm?

The most common side effects of Exelderm include:

  • mild stinging, burning, itching, or redness where the medicine was applied

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Exelderm. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic use.

Common side effects of Exelderm include:

  • skin burning
  • stinging
  • swelling
  • irritation
  • redness
  • pimple-like bumps
  • dryness
  • tenderness, or
  • flaking of the treated skin

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Exelderm

The dose of Exelderm is to gently massage a small amount of the solution into the affected and surrounding skin areas once or twice daily.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Exelderm?

Other drugs may interact with Exelderm. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Exelderm During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Exelderm should be used only if prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Exelderm (sulconazole nitrate) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Drug Description

DESCRIPTION

EXELDERM (sulconazole nitrate) SOLUTION, 1.0% is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent intended for topical application. Sulconazole nitrate, the active ingredient in EXELDERM (sulconazole) SOLUTION, is an imidazole derivative with antifungal and antiyeast activity. Its chemical name is (±)-1-[2,4-Dichloro-β [( p-chlorobenzyl)thio]phenethyl] imidazole mononitrate and it has the following chemical structure:

Exelderm® 
  (sulconazole nitrate) Structural Formula Illustration

Sulconazole nitrate is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 460.77. It is freely soluble in pyridine; slightly soluble in ethanol, acetone, and chloroform; and very slightly soluble in water. It has a melting point of about 130°C.

EXELDERM SOLUTION contains sulconazole nitrate 10 mg/mL in a solution of propylene glycol, poloxamer 407, polysorbate 20, butylated hydroxyanisole, and purified water, with sodium hydroxide and, if necessary, nitric acid added to adjust the pH.

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS

EXELDERM (sulconazole nitrate) SOLUTION, 1.0% is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent indicated for the treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum canis; and for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Effectiveness has not been proven in tinea pedis (athlete's foot).

Symptomatic relief usually occurs within a few days after starting EXELDERM (sulconazole) SOLUTION and clinical improvement usually occurs within one week.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

A small amount of the solution should be gently massaged into the affected and surrounding skin areas once or twice daily.

Symptomatic relief usually occurs within a few days after starting EXELDERM (sulconazole nitrate) SOLUTION, 1.0%, and clinical improvement usually occurs within one week. To reduce the possibility of recurrence, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, and tinea versicolor should be treated for 3 weeks.

If significant clinical improvement is not seen after 4 weeks of treatment, an alternate diagnosis should be considered.

HOW SUPPLIED

EXELDERM (sulconazole) SOLUTION, 1.0%

5 mL Plastic Bottle NDC 10631-100-32
(Physician Sample Not for Sale)
30 mL Plastic Bottle NDC 10631-100-30

Avoid excessive heat, above 40°C (104°F), and protect from light.

Developed by Syntex. RANBAXY Jacksonville, FL 32257 USA. Revised February 2009.

Side Effects & Drug Interactions

SIDE EFFECTS

There were no systemic effects and only infrequent cutaneous adverse reactions in 370 patients treated with sulconazole nitrate solution in controlled clinical trials. Approximately 1% of these patients reported itching and 1% burning or stinging. These complaints did not usually interfere with treatment.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No information provided.

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS

No information provided.

PRECAUTIONS

General

EXELDERM (sulconazole nitrate) SOLUTION, 1.0% is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. If irritation develops, the solution should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term animal studies to determine carcinogenic potential have not been performed. In vitro studies have shown no mutagenic activity.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

Sulconazole nitrate has been shown to be embryotoxic in rats when given in doses 125 times the human dose (in mg/kg). The drug at this dose given orally to rats also resulted in prolonged gestation and dystocia. Several females died during the perinatal period, most likely due to labor complications. Sulconazole nitrate was not teratogenic in rats or rabbits at oral doses of 50 mg/kg/day.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Sulconazole nitrate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when sulconazole nitrate is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of EXELDERM (sulconazole) SOLUTION, 1.0%, did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients.

Overdose & Contraindications

OVERDOSE

No information provided.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

EXELDERM (sulconazole nitrate) SOLUTION, 1.0% is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Sulconazole nitrate is an imidazole derivative that inhibits the growth of the common pathogenic dermatophytes including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Microsporum canis. It also inhibits the organism responsible for tinea versicolor, Malassezia furfur, and certain gram positive bacteria.

A maximization test with sulconazole nitrate solution showed no evidence of irritation or contact sensitization.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

Patients should be told to use EXELDERM (sulconazole) SOLUTION as directed by the physician, to use it externally only, and to avoid contact with the eyes.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.