Naftifine
Pronunciation: NAF-tih-feen.
- Generic name
- naftifine
- Brand names
- Naftomax, Naftifine Hydrochloride Cream, Naftifine, Naftifine Gel, Nafin, Naftin
- Drug class
- Antifungal (Allylamine derivative)
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What naftifine is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how naftifine works
Naftifine is an allylamine antifungal that inhibits squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. This disruption leads to increased membrane permeability and ultimately fungal cell death. (1) (2)
What naftifine is used for
Interdigital tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea corporis (ringworm) — naftifine 2% cream, or 1% cream/gel
The 2% cream is FDA-approved for all three conditions caused specifically by Trichophyton rubrum. The original 1% cream/gel formulation is approved for the same three conditions caused by a broader organism list (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, Epidermophyton floccosum), but is not approved for pediatric use. (2)
Interdigital tinea pedis (athlete's foot) only — naftifine 2% gel
FDA-approved specifically for interdigital tinea pedis (not tinea cruris or tinea corporis) caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, or Epidermophyton floccosum. The 2% gel formulation's approved indication is narrower than the 2% cream's. (2)
Before taking naftifine
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to naftifine or any formulation component. (Contraindication) (2)
- Safety in pediatric patients under 12 years has not been fully established. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take naftifine
- General Instructions: Apply a thin layer of naftifine hydrochloride cream or gel to the affected area (plus a small margin of surrounding healthy skin for the 2% cream) exactly as directed on your specific product's label — the frequency and duration differ by concentration.. Adult Dosing: For the 2% cream or gel: apply once daily for 2 weeks. For the original 1% cream or gel: apply twice daily (morning and evening); if there is no improvement after 4 weeks, follow up with your healthcare provider.. Pediatric Dosing: The 2% formulation is approved for children 12 years and older for tinea pedis and tinea cruris, and children 2 years and older for tinea corporis, using the same regimen as adults. The 1% formulation is not approved for pediatric use — safety and effectiveness in children have not been established for it.. Administration: Clean and dry the affected area before application. Wash hands after use. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.. When To Stop: Continue for the full prescribed course, even if symptoms improve — seek medical advice promptly if severe irritation or an allergic reaction occurs, and let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop.. Storage: Store at controlled room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not apply extra to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose
Overdose with topical naftifine is unlikely. If large amounts are accidentally ingested or severe reactions occur, seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center immediately. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Application-site burning or stinging
Incidence: Most common reaction in clinical trials — about 5-6% (varies by formulation/concentration)
Application-site itching, redness (erythema), dryness, or local irritation
Incidence: Reported in clinical trials, typically 0.5-3% each
Worsening irritation, blistering, swelling, or oozing/crusting at the application site, or signs of an allergic reaction
(2)Serious warnings
For external use only — serious
Symptoms: For external use only. Seek medical advice promptly if severe irritation or an allergic reaction develops, and let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop treatment. Not for use in the eyes, mouth, or vagina. Approved down to age 12 (tinea pedis/cruris) or age 2 (tinea corporis) — not established below these ages. Consult your doctor if symptoms do not improve after the 2-week course.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
The current FDA label lists no formal contraindications beyond general hypersensitivity principles common to all topical products — serious
Symptoms: The current FDA label lists no formal contraindications beyond general hypersensitivity principles common to all topical products. The clinician database's caution against known hypersensitivity to naftifine or any formulation component is a reasonable general safety principle, retained here as a clinician-database safety note rather than a formally labeled FDA contraindication. Avoid application to mucous membranes, open wounds, or severely damaged skin.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Naftifine is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream when used topically, so drug interactions are unlikely. However, avoid using other topical medications or products on the same area unless directed by your healthcare provider. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Animal reproduction studies did not show adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate human pregnancy data. Discuss use with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. (2)
Breastfeeding
There is a lack of clinical data on use during breastfeeding, so risk cannot be clearly determined. Discuss use with your doctor if you are breastfeeding. (2)
Children
The 2% formulation is approved for children 12 years and older for tinea pedis and tinea cruris, and children 2 years and older for tinea corporis, using the same once-daily regimen as adults. The original 1% formulation is not approved for pediatric use at any age — safety and effectiveness have not been established. (2)
Renal Impairment
The FDA label reviewed for this page has no dedicated renal- or hepatic-impairment section for topical naftifine; systemic absorption from the skin is minimal, and no dose adjustment is specified. Renal and hepatic status should be assessed by the prescriber. (2)
Hepatic Impairment
The FDA label reviewed for this page has no dedicated renal- or hepatic-impairment section for topical naftifine; systemic absorption from the skin is minimal, and no dose adjustment is specified. Renal and hepatic status should be assessed by the prescriber. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store at controlled room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Keep out of reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General (US FDA label)
Indication: Interdigital tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis (cream); interdigital tinea pedis only (gel)
Dose summary: 2% cream/gel: once daily for 2 weeks (plus a ~1/2-inch margin of surrounding skin for the cream). 1% cream/gel (original formulation): twice daily (morning and evening); reassess if no improvement after 4 weeks. Only the 2% formulation is approved for pediatric use.
Renal context: The FDA label reviewed for this page states no renal-impairment dosing guidance for topical naftifine; systemic absorption is minimal and no dose adjustment is specified. Renal status should be assessed by the prescriber. (1) (2)
Hepatic guidance
The FDA label reviewed for this page has no dedicated hepatic-impairment section for topical naftifine; systemic absorption is minimal and no dose adjustment is specified. Hepatic status should be assessed by the prescriber.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for naftifine to work?
Most people notice improvement in symptoms within a few days, but it is important to use the medication for the full prescribed 2-week course to ensure the infection is completely treated.
Can I use naftifine on my face?
Naftifine is generally not recommended for use on the face unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider, as facial skin is more sensitive.
Is naftifine safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Animal studies did not show a risk to the fetus, but there are no adequate human pregnancy data, and clinical data during breastfeeding are lacking. Discuss with your doctor before using naftifine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What should I do if I accidentally get naftifine in my eyes?
Rinse your eyes thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Can I use naftifine with other antifungal creams?
Do not use other topical antifungals on the same area unless advised by your healthcare provider to avoid irritation or reduced effectiveness.
What if my symptoms do not improve after using naftifine?
Consult your healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve or worsen after the 2-week course of treatment.
Is naftifine available over the counter?
In most regions, naftifine is available by prescription only. Check with your local pharmacy or healthcare provider.
What happens if I take too much Naftifine?
Naftifine is for topical use, and systemic absorption is minimal. Therefore, an overdose from topical application is highly unlikely to cause systemic toxicity. However, excessive application might increase local skin irritation. If Naftifine is accidentally ingested, or if you experience any unusual or severe symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately and contact a poison control center for guidance.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Naftifine?
Since Naftifine is primarily used topically, its systemic absorption is very low, making significant interactions with alcohol unlikely. However, for any medication, it's generally advisable to discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider. If Naftifine is prescribed for an oral formulation (though less common), alcohol could potentially exacerbate liver-related side effects, which are a concern with some systemic antifungals.
Is Naftifine safe during pregnancy?
Animal reproduction studies did not show a risk to the fetus, but there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is important to consult your healthcare provider before using naftifine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, so they can weigh the potential benefits against any potential risks for your situation.
What is the mechanism of action of naftifine?
Naftifine is an allylamine antifungal that inhibits squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. This disruption leads to increased membrane permeability and ultimately fungal cell death. (1) (2)
What is the generic name of Naftifine?
The generic name is naftifine. It is sold under brand names including Naftomax, Naftifine Hydrochloride Cream, Naftifine, Naftifine Gel, Nafin, Naftin.
What class of drug is naftifine?
Naftifine is classed as: Antifungal (Allylamine derivative).
References
- Naftifine Medicine RecordMedGuideGlobal Clinical Team · Not Applicable · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- Naftifine Hydrochloride Cream, USP 2% and NAFTIN (naftifine hydrochloride) Gel, 2% — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration via DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- Secondary verification of 1% and 2% naftifine prescribing informationDrugs.com / RxList / FDA historical labeling · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 3
- NAFTIFINE HYDROCHLORIDE GEL [SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Naftifine Topical — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
- Naftin — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA NDA204286)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 6
- naftifine — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 31476)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 7
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient naftifine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Naftin2 g00g · legacy pharma usa inc.