Comments on: Ciclopirox Penlac Nail Lacquer Reviews

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:39:38 +0000

I went to the Dr and they prescribed for me Naftin Gel, Penlac and Thymol to be used twice a day. I haven’t seen any results yet but am hoping for a cure. This infection is nasty and I think I have a mild case of it. My insurance paid for two but the Naftin Gel was 4 hundred dollars and my insurance said no way. I had a coupon for two hundred off but still could not afford it. My Dr went over board and gave me samples to use. She said I would probably see a difference in six months. I don’t think I have had anything so gross as this. I think I got it from my mom’s spongy type rug after a shower. Nasty I tell ya, nasty.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:45:53 +0000

I have been battling this horrid fungus for over 2 years now – using the ciclopirox 8% religiously every night of my life. I am finally seeing results. I must add that at one time I got discouraged and asked for the pill form (which damages your liver). The pills seemed to make it grow so I went back to the ciclopirox 8% – have been back on it for several months now. My toenails actually are almost better, but my fingernails (both thumbs and my pointer finger) kept getting a little better – then would start growing again. I finally started using gloves when doing dishes, now they are looking much better. I would advise using gloves because this fungus likes warm moist environments – (warm dishwater with no gloves). I wish everyone luck with this fungus stuff – I just wish there was a safe and true cure!!!!

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:05:32 +0000

Also, I like Mike’s dremel tool idea. It probably works much faster than a nail clipper like I used.

Women are likely to be tempted to use a nail buffer, but that will just burn out the motor. Spend $50 on a dremel tool on eBay and bet the the sanding attachments. You’ll have to find the nerve to use it youself. Unfortunately, you can’t buy that.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:01:51 +0000

I completely agree with Bob from Nov 2011.
This product seems to do nothing if used as directed. It’s costly and frustrating.

However, with a lot of effort, I can report success, using a different approach with an alternate product that contains the same active ingredient for about 1/10th the price.

A couple of years ago, I went to the foot doc to see what I could do to get rid of the fungus under a big toe. That visit cost me only $5 insurance co-pay but the prescription of this mini-bottle of clear nail polish with fundacide cost me 100 bucks. Alright I thought, expensive but it will work.

I applied it religiously to the nail over a couple of months, to no effect. Apparently, a complete waste of money and effort.

Now, I refuse to take pills for this problem, considering the possibility of serious medical consequences, which would no doubt be worse than toe fungus.

So I looked elsewhere. I found that for just over 22 bucks on eBay, you can get two little bottles of Ciclopirox, from UK or Thailand, depending on the vendor. That’s more than twice as much product and it’s likely the minimum amount you’ll need. You’ll likley need 4 bottles if you have multiple affected toes.

It is water-like liquid and applies with a cheap plastic stick with a flat end with holes in it, extending from the cap (where a brush should really be). The applied layer on your toe dries in the air in a few minutes and, unlike the laquer form, if you put your foot into a sock before it’s completely dry, it won’t glue your foot to the cloth. I suspect the same is true for stockings, but I don’t wear nylons — at least I won’t admit it. lol.

I’ve been using this stuff daily for a year now, and just about exhausted the two little bottles (8 ml each). I have been pretty agressive cutting the nail back to the point where I can remove all dead material below. You learn to take your time doing that, because you will bleed if you make a mistake and cut into the quick. It’s difficult to tell the difference between live “you” and the invader material, because the surface is rough, not like your outer skin. And, you’re bent over in an unnatural position to do this. I suppose this is the “worse” in “for better or worse” and if you have a spouse who has taken vows, you can test his or her love by putting him or her to the test. It’s like one of the Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.

You apply the medicine as close as possible to the affected area, and unlike the laquer form the medicine, it doesn’t sting if you get any on exposed quick.

Long story long, I can report that the fungus is finally gone and the nail growing normally.

So, unless the vinegar approach works (I don’t know if it does) or laser treatment becomes avaiable (which wasn’t available when I asked for it), I would recommend the same approach that worked for me. The key to my success seems to be:

- Weekly, cut nail to expose affected area., then remove all non-living material in affected area.
- Daily, apply cheap Ciclopirox 8%.
(search for “ciclopirox” on eBay).

Remember, you’re not a bad person if your toes aren’t perfect. Keep your chin up.

By: Mick

Mick — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:01:49 +0000

I drill my nails with a Dremel tool. Cleans the nails up for a couple of weeks. Some of my nails have actually been cured because of how deep I was able to get.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:59:30 +0000

The problem with Ciclopirox 8% topical is the cost: $119 for 6.6 milliliters. Yes, that’s milliliters. That translates to about $69,000 per gallon (yes, that’s sixty-nine thousand!). You’re better off soaking your feet nightly in apple cider vinegar. It’s a lot cheaper and works just as well.

A regular bottle of clear nail lacquer is $1.99 (for .45 ounces; 6.6 ml is 0.223 ounces)). Add enough of a fungicide to make it 8% of the solution. How much would that cost? If my doctor had told me how much it would cost I would not have gotten it.

What a total ripoff.

By: Liz Games

Liz Games — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:31:26 +0000

A friend of mine have used this treatment before and she told me that it is effective as long as you use it continuously. I, myself, have dreaded toenail fungus for years and I have tried using almost all the solutions available. I kept my nails trimmed and clean and I also wash my feet regularly. Yet, the fungal infection is still there. It’s very embarrassing to have discolored nails, especially for a clean freak like me. Unlike my friend though, I haven’t used this product. I took a different route and used zetaclear instead. Perhaps the effect of anti-fungal products vary from one person to another because zetaclear worked well for me. You just have to be really patient in addressing the problem because toenail fungus is difficult to treat.

By: Roeski

Roeski — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:44:52 +0000

To completely stop re-occurrence, you absolutely must throw away all
previously worn shoes and probably socks before you discontinue use
of the product or you risk reinfection. The fungus is not easily
removed from the inside of shoes. This is the most expensive part of
the treatment that many physicians fail to tell you.

Also, you should continue to use the treatment for 30 days past the
last visible sign of infection or risk a relapse. Hope this helps!

By: Sara

Sara — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:12:55 +0000

Nail fungus is passed around, quite often, in nail salons. This treatment works for some, and you can also try Amoresse Thymol if it is not a fungus, but instead, a yeast or bacteria. Google the words and read the reviews.
And remember that you can get rid of it, and getting it again is probably from the nail salon or public gym/pool bathroom (or old shoes you need to throw away)

By: again

again — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:10:40 +0000

for some reason i got the fungus on my big toe. two weeks before I noticed it
it, i had gone to the salon to get a pedicure. I thinks it might have been at the
gym’s shower when I picked it up. To my surprise after taking off my nail polish two weeks
later when I was to get my next pedicure, i noticed it. I went to the doctor the
next day to see what he could prescribe to cure it . He said either this lacque or
a very expensive pill to take orally. I opted for the lacquer as he said it could work
as it had worked on his wife. My case was very mild and after using it for 1 month, it
dissapeared :0). now a year later, it has come back. However,this time it does not look as mild.
I will try the lacquer again and hopefully it will work as summer is around the corner and i
love to wear sandals. In the meantime, i will wear a bandaid over it with my
lacquer underneath as no one has to know. it could just be a boo boo! keeping my
fingers crossed…. ;0/