Loceryl: instructions for use against nail fungus

The principle of action of the drug

The drug combines fungistatic and fungicidal effects. This allows you to suppress the activity of the fungus, localize it at the site of infection and destroy the source of infection. After application, the varnish forms a waterproof film on the surface of the nails, which prevents infection of still healthy plates, has a detrimental effect on pathogens caught under a layer of medication, and destroys bacterial flora. Penetration deep into the nail structures is ensured by softening the plate, which increases the effectiveness of fungal treatment.

When is the drug not recommended?

The drug is not used during pregnancy.
Nail fungus varnish "Loceryl" does not have a toxic effect on the body, since the active substances do not penetrate into the blood fluid. But there are still some contraindications to the use of the medication:

• individual intolerance to the substances included in the composition;
• carrying a baby;
• lactation period.

Also, the remedy for nail fungus is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Although tests have not been carried out on the effect of the components on the body, it is still better to refrain from using the product in the above cases. A negative reaction after applying Loceryl varnish can occur in allergy sufferers in the form of contact dermatitis. But such cases are recorded extremely rarely.

Adverse reactions

The active substance amorolfine contained in Lotseril almost never provokes negative reactions. This is due to the fact that the components do not penetrate into the blood and are not toxic. This minimizes the likelihood of side effects from the cardiovascular, nervous or digestive systems. If, nevertheless, unpleasant manifestations arise, then consult a doctor who will select suitable analogues of “Loceryl” for nails. In rare cases, the following reactions occur:

• redness in the affected area;
• burning sensation at the site of application of varnish;
• allergic reaction with the manifestation of contact dermatitis.

Additional recommendations

You need to work with the drug wearing rubber gloves.
To quickly get rid of toenail fungus using the cosmetic product “Loceryl”, you must follow the general rules:

• Fungal pathology should be treated under sterile conditions so that pathogenic microorganisms do not damage healthy areas. For this purpose, files used to treat diseased nails are not used for healthy ones.
• When working with chemicals, you must wear rubber gloves. This is due to the fact that the active substance is unstable to organic solvents.
• When treating nail fungus, it is recommended to use additional ointments and tablets so that the pathology goes away faster. It is also important to keep your feet clean, change your socks regularly, disinfect your shoes and change your bedding.
• When using "Loceryl" it is strictly forbidden to apply artificial nails, which do not allow the diseased nail plate to breathe. In this case, you can apply colored varnish, thanks to which you can hide the bad appearance of your nails.

Release form and composition of the drug

Loceryl has 2 pharmacological forms, the most popular option is varnish; in addition, pharmacies offer a solution. For ease of use, the vials can have a volume of 5 and 2.5 ml; the kit includes:

• disposable nail files;
• a set of tampons for their disinfection;
• applicators for applying the product.

The main active ingredient of the drug is Amorolfine, which is part of a number of other mycotics and has an effective antifungal effect. As additional components, the product contains:

• Methacrylic acid copolymer.
• Triacetin.
• Ethyl acetate.
• Ethanol.
• Butyl acetate.

All elements of the composition have antifungal activity and provide a wide spectrum of action.

Pharmacodynamics

Loceryl is an antifungal external drug.
The drug exhibits fungicidal and fungistatic effects, which are caused by the destruction of the cytoplasmic membrane of the fungal cell by blocking the synthesis of sterols. The concentration of ergosterol decreases, atypical non-planar sterols accumulate. Has a wide spectrum of action. Inhibits both common and rare types of fungi that cause nail lesions:

• yeast fungi of the genera Malassezia (Pityrosporum), Candida, Cryptococcus;
• dermatophytes of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton;
• fungi of the genera Fonsecaea, Cladopsorium, Wangiella (family Dematiaceae);
• molds of the genera Scopulariopsis, Alternaria, Hendersonula;
• dimorphic fungi of the genera Coccidioides, Histoplasma, Sporothrix.

When applied to the nail, the active component of the drug penetrates well into the nail bed and nail tissue. A high concentration of the active substance is maintained in the tissues of the affected nail for seven to ten days after a single application of the drug. Long-term use of Loceryl does not cause the accumulation of amorolfine in the body.

Indications for use

The instructions provided in the kit recommend using the drug when the surface of the nails remains healthy by at least a third. In case of severe damage, the drug is used in combination with systemic medications. The list of indications lists various types of fungus on the nail plates:

• dermatophytes;
• mold varieties;
• yeast fungus of the Candida species.

The drug is considered as an effective means of prevention, which protects well against infection and prevents relapses.

Loceryl in the treatment of fungus

The main purpose of the drug is to destroy the fungus in affected areas. The fungicidal or fungistatic effect is achieved depending on how much varnish is used.

Test applications of the drug have proven its effectiveness against fungi such as Candida, Cryptococcus, Malassezia and some other yeast species. Amorolfine is successfully used against dermatophytes and molds.

Due to the fact that it has poor absorption into the circulatory system, there is no systemic effect on the body; the drug only works locally. The concentration of substances that have a therapeutic effect ends two weeks from the day of first use.

Instructions for use - how to use?

The medicine does not require additional preparation to treat fungus. Before applying, you can steam your nails in a bath of soda or herbal solution, which will make processing easier and speed up the process of absorption of the active component. The varnish application procedure includes several stages:

• Use the disposable file included in the kit to remove infected layers from the surface of the nail;
• treated nails are degreased with an alcohol solution using tampons;
• a few drops of the drug are applied to the affected nail and distributed evenly with an applicator;
• After this, you need to wait about 3 minutes for the product to dry.

After drying, the medicine does not cause discomfort and does not limit the usual rhythm of life. The applied drug remains active for about 10 days, so the frequency of use is 1 to 2 times within 7 days. Before the next procedure, any remaining varnish must be removed. For these purposes, you can use a regular cosmetic or alcohol solution. The duration of treatment is six months for hand lesions and about a year for onychomycosis of the legs. To get the desired result, the course of treatment must be continuous.

Cheap Russian analogues of the product

Many patients cannot afford to buy “Loceril”. After all, sometimes treatment is delayed, and therefore you will need to resort to buying a second or even a third bottle, especially if the disease is advanced. Therefore, the question arises: are there any decent cheap analogues in the low price segment? Answer: yes! Below is a list of several drugs that have a similar composition:

"Amorolfine." A medicine that copes with fungal infection pathogens by destroying pathogenic microorganisms. Available in the form of nail polish. The contraindications are the same as for Lotseril. Costs no more than 600 rubles per package. "Binafin". A domestic analogue, produced in the form of a cream. Contains terbinafine, which has a detrimental effect on fungal microorganisms. The product should be used up to two times a day. Treatment lasts up to three weeks

It is important not to interrupt treatment to prevent re-infection. A package of “Binafin” will cost up to 300 rubles

"Demictin." An effective product based on formic aldehyde. Based on the composition, “non-aggressive” components are suitable for almost any category of people. This includes pregnant women and children. Apply the medicinal concentrate to cleaned nails. Treatment must be continued until a new nail grows. After a course of treatment, the drug can be used for prophylactic purposes. The price is reasonable - 300 rubles per bottle.

Despite the relative cheapness of the analogues, you will still have to spend a fair amount of money, since the frequency of use significantly exceeds the frequency of application of “Loceryl”.

Precautionary measures

During therapy, it is necessary to observe precautions that will eliminate secondary infection and speed up recovery:

• all one-time elements of the kit cannot be reused; after the procedure it is better to dispose of them;
• other instruments and items intended for treatment must be thoroughly disinfected with an alcohol solution;
• during the procedure, excess varnish on the applicator cannot be wiped on the bottle; disposable tampons are used for these purposes;
• after use, the bottle of varnish is hermetically sealed with a standard lid and stored out of the reach of children;
• It is not recommended to disturb the applied varnish with an alcohol solution, which may reduce the effectiveness of compromising the integrity of the film;
• It is advisable to combine the procedures with preventive treatment of shoes and household items;
• Do not allow the medicine to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, or ears;
• To ensure the effectiveness of the drug and complete recovery, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary tests and determine the condition of the nails.

During treatment for fungus, it is not advisable to use nail cosmetics, although decorative varnish is allowed. It is strictly forbidden to extend nails. When treating onychomycosis of the hands, household chemicals, detergents, and other aggressive substances should be used with caution; it is better to protect hands with rubber gloves.

special instructions

• files,
• used to treat affected nails,
• should not be used on healthy nails;
• faces,
• working with organic solvents,
• should wear impervious gloves to protect nails,
• varnished;
• During treatment, you should avoid the use of false artificial nails and do not use cosmetic nail polish;
• the tampon contains a highly flammable substance.

Avoid contact of varnish with eyes, ears and mucous membranes.

Patients with conditions predisposing to the development of fungal nail infections (poor peripheral circulation, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency), as well as patients with nail dystrophy or a damaged nail plate, should consult a doctor.

There are no clinical data on the use of the drug in children, so it should not be prescribed to children.

Contraindications

The list of contraindications is small, the medicine belongs to the category of the safest. The list includes factors that are standard for most mycotics:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

It is not recommended to treat fungal diseases in children with varnish, since complete clinical trials have not been conducted for this category of patients.

Loceryl's analogs

The composition of Loceryl is unique; there are no complete analogues of the drug. The closest analogue of Oflomil, you can add Onihelp to it. Both drugs are based on Amorolfine, but differ in additional components. There are less expensive products with a similar principle of action and method of application. These include varnishes:

• Demicten.
• Mikozan.
• Cyclocutane.
• Batrafen.
• Lamisil.

You should look for an alternative to Loceryl if you are allergic to the components. In this case, it is better to follow the recommendations of your doctor. This will maintain the effectiveness of therapy and avoid undesirable consequences.

“Loceril” or “Oflomil” - which is better?

If we compare both drugs, they are complete analogues in terms of the main component in the composition

To figure out which product is better, you should pay attention to the table:

Thus, the drugs are similar in composition, contraindications, release form, and indications. The differences lie in the country where the drugs are produced and the price. Based on cost, the choice of product is usually made. Patients often choose Oflomil, for obvious reasons.