Luliconazole – Side effects, Interactions, and Overdose

What is Luliconazole?

Luliconazole is a novel antifungal agent that belongs to the family imidazole. Luliconazole is used to treat broad-spectrum fungal infections. Luliconazole is beneficial for the treatment of skin infections caused by dermatophytes. Due to the unique molecular structure of Luliconazole, it can penetrate the nail bed and attain fungicidal concentrations there. So, Luliconazole can also treat onychomycosis (fungal infection of nails). Luliconazole arrests the growth of fungi and kills them by altering the chemical composition of their cell membrane.

Properties and characteristics of Luliconazole

Drug class	Antifungal drugs
Brand Names	Luzu, Luzarn, Lulicon, LULY, Zyluli, Luris
Synonyms	Luliconazole, Lulicon
Molecular Formula	C14H9Cl2N3S2
Molecular Weight	354.3 g/mol
IUPAC Name	2-[(2E,4R)-4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)acetonitrile
Structural formula of main components
Pure active ingredient	Luliconazole
Appearance	A solid
Melting point	152 °C
Solubility	Luliconazole is sparingly soluble in aqueous buffers
Excretion	The route of elimination of luliconazole has yet to be determined.
Storage	Store Luliconazole Cream at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Available Forms	Cream
Prescription	Do not consume without the doctors’ advice

Uses for Luliconazole

Luliconazole topical cream is used to treat infections caused by a fungus or yeast. It works by killing the fungus or yeast or preventing its growth.

Luliconazole cream is used to treat:

• Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis);
• Ringworm of the foot between the toes (interdigital tinea pedis, athlete’s foot); and
• Ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris, jock itch).

What are side effects of Luliconazole?

Common side effects of Luliconazole Cream include:

• Application site reactions such as skin irritation or
• Infection (cellulitis)

Seek medical care once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, light-heartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism of action for luliconazole’s anti-fungal activity is still not known, but luliconazole is thought to inhibit the enzyme lanosterol demethylase. Lanosterol demethylase is needed for the synthesis of ergosterol, which is a major component of the fungus cell membranes.

Interactions of Luliconazole

Interactions with other medicines

• Pain killers and blood thinning agents (Paracetamol, Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ibuprofen, Warfarin, Cilostazol)
• Certain antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin)
• Certain medicines that decrease stomach acid production (Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, Lansoprazole, Esomeprazole)
• Medicines used to treat parasitic infections like malaria (Atovaquone, Proguani, Quininel)
• Certain anti-cancer medicines (Bortezomib, Lapatinib, Cyclophosphamide)
• Cough and cold medicines (Dextromethorphan, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine)
• Certain antidepressants (Citalopram, Clomipramine, Imipramine, Ziprasidone)
• Certain antifungals (Terbinafine, Voriconazole)
• Oxybutynin (used for bedwetting in children)
• Propafenone (treats irregular heartbeats)
• Carisoprodol (muscle relaxant)
• Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicine

Interactions with food items

Nitrofurantoin must be taken with food – meals or milk. This will cause the medicine to be better absorbed and reduces side effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For topical dosage form (cream)

For interdigital tinea pedis:

• Adults and children 12 to 17 years of age—Apply to the affected area(s) and about 1 inch of the immediate surrounding area(s) once a day for 2 weeks.
• Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For tinea corporis:

• Adults and children 2 to 17 years of age—Apply to the affected area(s) and about 1 inch of the immediate surrounding area(s) once a day for 1 week.
• Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For tinea cruris:

• Adults and children 12 to 17 years of age—Apply to the affected area(s) and about 1 inch of the immediate surrounding area(s) once a day for 1 week.
• Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Overdose

Accidental overdose of Nitrofurantoin may irritate the stomach, nausea or vomiting. Medical attention may be necessary in case of high overdose. Inform your doctor if you experience any new symptoms.

Warnings

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy: Although it’s only used as a topical form, Luliconazole is known to cause side effects on your foetus. Hence your physician may advise a safer alternative with the same medicinal effect based on your clinical condition.

Breast-feeding: Luliconazole is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine. If Luliconazole is used, care should be taken such that the infant does not come into contact with the medicine.

General warnings

Usage on skin: Luliconazole is recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. In case of accidental contact, thoroughly wash your eyes, nose or mouth with water.

Use in children: Luliconazole should not be used in children less than 12 years of age for athlete’s foot and jock itch, and below 2 years of age for ringworm infections due to the lack of safety and efficacy of this medicine.