Oxiconazole Lotion: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Oxiconazole Lotion is a prescription topical azole antifungal medicine applied to the skin to treat fungal infections. It is used for conditions such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm of the body, and tinea versicolor. The lotion works by stopping the growth of fungi and is applied directly to the affected skin area as directed by a doctor.

What is Oxiconazole Lotion

Oxiconazole lotion is a prescription topical azole antifungal medicine applied to the skin to treat fungal infections. The generic name is oxiconazole, and it belongs to the topical antifungal (azole antifungal) drug class.

Oxiconazole Lotion uses

• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
• Jock itch (tinea cruris)
• Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis)
• Tinea versicolor (pityriasis), a fungal infection causing lighter or darker patches of skin on the chest, neck, arms, or legs

Benefits of Oxiconazole Lotion

• Stops the growth of fungi to treat fungal skin infections
• Helps reduce local inflammation associated with fungal skin irritation without the skin-thinning risks of topical steroids
• Applied directly to the skin for high local effectiveness with very low systemic absorption into the rest of the body

How Oxiconazole Lotion works

Oxiconazole works by stopping fungi from growing. It blocks the fungus from making a part it needs for its cell covering, which kills the fungus or stops it from growing.

Oxiconazole Lotion dosage

Use on the skin only. Wash and thoroughly dry the affected area before applying. Shake the lotion bottle well before each use. Apply enough lotion to cover the affected area and some of the surrounding skin, and rub in gently. You may use cotton balls or a soft cloth to apply the lotion. Wash your hands after applying. Keep the lotion away from the eyes, nose, mouth, and vagina. Do not bandage, wrap, or seal the treated area unless your doctor tells you to.

Use it at the same time each day to help you remember. Continue using the full course of treatment even if symptoms clear up early; stopping too soon may let the infection return.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and go back to your regular schedule. Do not use double doses.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment or if it gets worse.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Lotion (1%)

Side effects of Oxiconazole Lotion

Common

• Itching
• Burning or stinging
• Mild skin redness or pain
• Rash or tingling
• Swelling
• Pimple-like bumps
• Tenderness
• Flaking of treated skin

Serious

• Severe skin irritation, blistering, or oozing
• Open sores
• Crusting, severe dryness, or scaling
• Swelling or pus-filled bumps at hair roots
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, severe dizziness)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use oxiconazole unless prescribed by a health care provider, and do not share it with others, as it may harm them.
• Keep the medicine away from your eyes, mouth, and vagina, and do not bandage or wrap the treated area unless your health care provider tells you to.
• This medicine can be harmful if swallowed.
• When treating tinea versicolor, skin color may not return to normal right away, and it can take several months after treatment ends for natural skin color to come back.
• Pregnancy: It is not known if oxiconazole could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. During pregnancy, it should be used only when clearly needed. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• Breastfeeding: Oxiconazole passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while using this medicine.
• Kidney: No routine renal dosage adjustment is established. Systemic absorption from topical oxiconazole is generally low.
• Liver: No established hepatic-specific dosage adjustment is available.
• Alcohol: It is not known if alcohol affects oxiconazole, but heavy drinking can weaken your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.
• Driving: Oxiconazole Lotion is not generally associated with sedation or impaired alertness.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep from freezing.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so; consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for proper disposal.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using oxiconazole and get help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, stomach cramps, or joint pain.
• Contact your doctor right away if you have serious side effects like blistering, oozing, or open sores.
• If someone has swallowed this medicine and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, get emergency help immediately; otherwise, contact a poison control center right away.
• Check with your doctor if your skin problem does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks of treatment or if it becomes worse.

Alternatives

• Ketoconazole Cream
• Clotrimazole Cream
• Oxiconazole Cream