Ertaczo Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Ertaczo Cream contains sertaconazole nitrate, a topical antifungal medicine. It is a prescription cream applied to the skin to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis) that occurs between the toes in adults and children 12 years of age and older with normal immune systems. It works by damaging the fungal cell's outer covering, stopping the fungus from growing and spreading.

What is Ertaczo Cream

Ertaczo is a prescription antifungal cream applied to the skin. It is used to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis) that occurs between the toes in adults and children 12 years of age and older with normal immune systems.

Ertaczo Cream uses

• Treats athlete's foot (interdigital tinea pedis) between the toes caused by certain fungi (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum)
• May be used for other conditions as determined by a health care provider

Benefits of Ertaczo Cream

• Treats athlete's foot
• Helps treat fungal skin infections
• Reduces itching caused by fungus
• Helps relieve redness and irritation
• Helps control fungal growth

How Ertaczo Cream works

Ertaczo is an antifungal medicine. It works by blocking an enzyme fungi need to build a substance called ergosterol, which is an important part of the fungal cell's outer covering. Without this covering, the fungal cells become damaged and leak, which stops the fungus from growing and spreading.

Ertaczo Cream dosage

Apply to the skin only; do not take by mouth. Use only on the areas between the toes and the healthy skin around them. Wash and dry the affected area well before applying, especially after bathing or showering, and wash your hands after applying the cream. Do not cover the treated area with bandages or dressings unless your health care provider tells you to.

Use the cream for the full length of time your health care provider prescribes, even if your symptoms improve before then. Do not use extra amounts to make up for a missed application; if you miss an application, apply it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for the next one. Avoid getting the cream in your eyes, mouth, nose, rectum, or vagina; rinse with water if this happens. Ertaczo is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years old.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• 2% topical cream

Side effects of Ertaczo Cream

Common

• Dry skin
• Skin tenderness
• Contact dermatitis (a type of skin irritation)
• Mild rash or skin irritation where the medicine was applied
• Burning
• Redness
• Itching
• Blisters
• Peeling
• Change in skin color

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction, including hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Racing heart
• Fever or feeling generally unwell
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain
• Severe skin redness, itching, swelling, tenderness, weeping, blistering, or burning

Warnings and precautions

• Ertaczo is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, mouth, vagina, nose, or rectum.
• Tell your health care provider if you have had an allergic reaction to another azole antifungal medicine before, since you may react to this one too.
• Do not cover the treated area with bandages or dressings that block air unless your doctor tells you to.
• Finish the entire prescribed course of treatment even if your symptoms improve, to lower the chance the infection comes back or becomes harder to treat.
• It is not known if Ertaczo is safe to use during pregnancy or if it could harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known if Ertaczo passes into breast milk or could affect a nursing baby. Talk with your health care provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use this cream.
• Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and other mucous membranes.
• Stop use if severe irritation, swelling, or rash develops.
• It isn't known whether drinking alcohol affects this medicine, but heavy drinking can weaken your body's ability to fight infections.
• Use for the prescribed duration.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for shorter periods, such as during transport
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat
• Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have severe burning, redness, or stinging after applying the cream, itching or blistering skin, or swelling or oozing from the skin.
• If you or someone else uses too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.
• Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, while using this cream.

Alternatives

• Ketoconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Econazole