Ciclopirox nail lacquer and podiatric practice

Ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of mild-to-moderate dermatophytic onychomycosis not involving the lunula. Previously, the agents that were approved for the treatment of dermatophytic pedal onychomycosis-griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine-were administered orally. When ciclopirox nail lacquer is used, it is recommended that the infected nail undergo debridement by a health-care professional as frequently as monthly. It is important to be aware of the circumstances under which debridement of the mycotic nail may be considered medically necessary and therefore potentially eligible for reimbursement by third-party payers. For many nail presentations, nail debridement is an important component of a treatment protocol involving either the oral medications or the topical lacquer, as it serves to reduce the fungal load and ameliorate symptoms. With the availability of a new FDA-approved topical treatment alternative, it remains to be seen if podiatrists will embrace the definitive treatment of onychomycosis using the newer oral agents, the new nail lacquer, or both in combination with nail debridement to treat the disease.