A topical antifungal solution for fungal nail infection
Tavaborole
An antifungal solution applied to the nail to treat fungal nail infection.
What is Tavaborole?
Tavaborole is a topical antifungal solution used to treat fungal infection of the nails, usually the toenails. It is applied directly to the affected nail over a long course, often many months, because nails grow slowly and need time to grow out healthy. The most common effects are reactions where it is applied, such as redness, irritation, peeling or changes to the nail or surrounding skin. It is for use on the nail only and needs patience and consistency to work.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tavaborole — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Tavaborole is a topical antifungal medicine that comes as a solution applied to the nails. It is used to treat onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail (most often the toenails) that makes the nail thickened, discoloured or crumbly. It is brushed or applied onto the affected nail and the skin just around it, allowing the medicine to reach the nail. It is for external use on the nail rather than being taken by mouth, and treatment is continued over a long period while the healthy nail grows out.
How it works
Tavaborole works by blocking an enzyme that the fungus needs to make proteins, which stops the fungus growing and helps clear the infection. It is designed to pass into the nail to reach the fungus living within and beneath it. Because nails grow slowly, a healthy nail only gradually replaces the infected one, which is why treatment is applied daily over many months. Sticking with the long course is important, as stopping early often means the infection has not fully cleared and the nail may not grow out healthy.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A topical antifungal medicine used to treat fungal infection of the toenails, applied as a solution to the nail.
Practical use
How to take Tavaborole
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Apply the solution to the whole affected nail and the skin just around it, as directed, usually once a day.
- Keep using it for the full long course, often many months, while the healthy nail grows out.
- Be patient, as the nail only looks fully better once the healthy part has grown all the way out.
- Keep it away from the eyes, and use it on the nail and surrounding skin only.
- Get it reviewed if the nail does not improve over time or the surrounding skin becomes very irritated.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tavaborole
Advantages
- A topical option for fungal nail infection, applied directly to the affected nail.
- Designed to pass into the nail to reach the fungus, with little absorbed into the body.
- Avoids the need for tablets in suitable cases.
Disadvantages
- Needs a very long course, often many months, with daily application.
- Can cause reactions where it is applied, such as redness, irritation or peeling.
- May cause changes to the nail or surrounding skin, and results come slowly.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to understand about tavaborole is that it is a long course: because nails grow slowly, treatment is usually continued for many months, and the nail only looks fully better once the healthy part has grown all the way out. Applying it consistently every day and being patient really matters, as stopping early is a common reason the infection comes back. The most common side effects are reactions where it is applied — redness, irritation, peeling, or changes to the nail or the skin around it. It is for use on the nail only and should be kept away from the eyes. If the nail does not improve over time, or the skin becomes very irritated, it is worth getting it reviewed.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to tavaborole or the solution's ingredients should not use it.
- It is used with care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
- It is for external use on the nail only and should be kept away from the eyes.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how the nail responds over the long course of treatment.
- Watching for irritation of the nail or surrounding skin.
- Deciding whether to continue or change treatment if the nail does not improve.
Side effects
- Reactions where it is applied, such as redness, irritation, peeling or dryness.
- Changes to the treated nail or the skin around it, such as an ingrowing nail in some people.
- Rarely, a more troublesome allergic skin reaction, which should be reviewed.
Key interactions
- There are few well-established medicine interactions, as it is applied to the nail.
- Nail varnish or other nail products on the treated nail should only be used on advice.
- Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about anything else you apply to the nail or surrounding skin.
Available as: A solution applied to the nail.
Answers
Tavaborole: frequently asked questions
What is tavaborole used for?
It is a topical antifungal solution used to treat fungal infection of the nails, usually the toenails, applied directly to the affected nail.
Why does treatment take so long?
Nails grow slowly, so a healthy nail only gradually replaces the infected one; treatment is usually continued for many months.
What are the common side effects?
The most common are reactions where it is applied, such as redness, irritation, peeling, or changes to the nail or surrounding skin.
Why is it important to keep using it?
Stopping early is a common reason the infection comes back, so applying it consistently for the full course and being patient really matters.
Where do I apply it?
Apply it to the affected nail and the skin just around it; it is for external use only and should be kept away from the eyes.
The wider class
About Topical antifungal nail solution
Tavaborole belongs to the topical antifungal nail solution class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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