Tavaborole

Tavaborole is a prescription medication used to treat fungal infections of the toenails.

Tavaborole belongs to a group of drugs called called antifungals. These work by stopping the growth of fungi.

This medication comes in topical solution form and is applied topically to the affected toenail(s), once a day. 

Common side effects of tavaborole include skin peeling, ingrown toenail, redness, itching, and swelling. 

Tavaborole is a prescription medication used to treat fungal infections of the toenails due to Trichophyton rubrum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tavaborole may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Kerydin

Serious side effects have been reported with tavaborole. See the “Tavaborole Precautions” section.

Common side effects of tavaborole include the following:

• irritation at the treated site
• skin peeling
• ingrown toenail
• redness
• itching
• swelling

This is not a complete list of tavaborole side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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

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

No drug interactions have been listed by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with tavaborole including the following:

Inform a health care professional if the area of application shows signs of persistent irritation such as redness, itching, and swelling.

Tavaborole is for topical use only. Do NOT take by mouth. Do NOT insert tavaborole into the eye or vagina.

Tavaborole is flammable. Avoid heat and flame while applying tavaborole to your toenail.

Do not use tavaborole if you are allergic to tavaborole or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of tavaborole, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking tavaborole, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to tavaborole or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Tavaborole falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Tavaborole should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if tavaborole crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using tavaborole.

Use tavaborole exactly as prescribed.

Tavaborole comes as a topical solution form and is applied topically to the affected toenail(s), once a day for 48 weeks.

Apply tavaborole to the entire toenail surface and under the tip of each toenail being treated. Avoid trying to get tavaborole on the skin that surrounds the treated toenail. Wipe away excess solution from surrounding skin.

Tavaborole is for topical use only. Do NOT take by mouth. Do NOT insert tavaborole into the eye or vagina.

Tavaborole is flammable. Avoid heat and flame while applying tavaborole to your toenail.

Be sure to read the Instructions for Use that comes with tavaborole before you start using tavaborole. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

How to apply tavaborole:

Before you apply tavaborole, make sure your toenails are clean and dry.

Step 1: Before you apply tavaborole to your affected toenail for the first time, remove the cap from the tavaborole bottle. Throw away the cap.
Step 2: Remove the wrapping from the dropper that comes with tavaborole. Insert the dropper into the tavaborole bottle.
Only use the provided dropper to apply tavaborole. Do not use the dropper for any other purpose.
Step 3: With the dropper inserted into the tavaborole, squeeze the bulb and then release the bulb to draw tavaborole into the dropper.
Step 4: Remove the dropper from the bottle and hold the dropper tip over your affected toenail.
Step 5: Slowly squeeze the bulb to apply tavaborole to your toenail. Apply enough solution to completely cover your toenail. You may need to use more than one drop.
Step 6: Use the dropper tip to gently spread tavaborole to cover the entire toenail up to the edges of the toenail.
Step 7: In addition to the top of the toenail, also apply tavaborole under the tip of the toenail. Use the dropper tip to gently spread tavaborole under the entire tip of the toenail.
Step 8: Repeat Steps 3 to 7 to apply tavaborole to each affected toenail.
Step 9: Let the tavaborole dry completely. This may take a couple of minutes. If tavaborole comes in contact with surrounding skin, use a tissue to wipe any excess solution from the surrounding skin. Do not wipe tavaborole off of your toenails.
Step 10: After applying tavaborole to your toenails, insert the dropper back into the bottle and screw it on tightly.
Step 11: Wash your hands with soap and water after applying tavaborole.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of Kerydin (tavaborole) is one application once a day to affected toenail(s) for 48 weeks.

If you use too much tavaborole, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store tavaborole at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Tavaborole is flammable. Keep tavaborole away from heat and flame.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Safely throw away tavaborole after 3 months of inserting the dropper.