Tinea Corporis, Cruris & Pedis Drug Summary

Last updated: 21 April 2026
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Antifungals (Oral)

Drug Dosage Remarks
Fluconazole Tinea corporis/cruris:
150 mg PO once weekly or
50 mg PO 24 hourly x 2-4 weeks
Tinea pedis: 150 mg PO once weekly x 3 weeks or 50 mg PO 24 hourly x up to 6 weeks		 Adverse Reactions
  • GI effects (abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea/vomiting, taste disturbance, elevated liver enzyme levels)
Special Instructions
  • Use with caution in patients with renal and hepatic impairment
  • Monitor for symptoms of drug interactions (eg Rifampicin, macrolides, anticoagulants, short-acting benzodiazepines, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, etc)
Griseofulvin Tinea corporis/cruris:
500-1,000 mg PO 24 hourly or in divided doses x 2-4 weeks
Tinea pedis: 500-1,000 mg PO 24 hourly or in divided doses x 4-8 weeks		 Adverse Reactions
  • CNS effect (headache); Dermatologic effects (rash, urticaria); GI effects (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric distress)
Special Instructions
  • Monitor hepatic, renal and hematopoietic function if used long term
Itraconazole Tinea corporis/cruris:
100 mg PO 24 hourly x 15 days or
200 mg PO 24 hourly x 1 week
Tinea pedis: 100 mg PO 24 hourly x 30 days or 200 mg PO 12 hourly x 1 week		 Adverse Reactions
  • GI effects (dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, increase in liver enzyme levels, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice); CNS effects (headache, dizziness); Allergic reactions (pruritus, rash, urticaria, angioedema); Other effects (alopecia, edema, hypokalemia with prolonged treatment)
Special Instructions
  • Use with caution in patients at risk for heart failure, hepatic impairment and renal insufficiency
  • In patients with hypochlorhydria, absorption may be improved by administering the drug with an acidic drink, (eg cola)
  • Monitor for symptoms of drug interactions (eg Rifampicin, oral anticoagulants, short-acting benzodiazepines, calcium-channel blockers, etc)
Terbinafine Tinea corporis/cruris:
250 mg PO 24 hourly x 2-4 weeks
Tinea pedis: 250 mg PO 24 hourly x 2-6 weeks		 Adverse Reactions
  • GI effects (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss or disturbance of taste, liver dysfunction); CNS effect (headache); Dermatologic effects (rash, urticaria)
Special Instructions
  • Do not use in patients with hepatic impairment
  • Perform liver function tests in all patients before starting oral therapy
  • Use with caution in patients with psoriasis
  • Reduce doses in patients with renal impairment

Antifungals (Topical)

Drug Available Strength Dosage Remarks
Allylamines
Naftifine 1% cream, gel
2% cream		 Apply 12-24 hourly Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (redness, stinging sensation, itching)
Special Instructions
  • Tinea pedis: Length of therapy is usually 3-4 weeks
  • Tinea corporis and cruris: Length of therapy is usually 1-2 weeks
  • Continue treatment for few days-1 week after lesions clear
Terbinafine 1% cream, lotion, solution, spray, gel Apply 12-24 hourly
Benzylamine
Butenafine 1% cream Tinea corporis/cruris: Apply 24 hourly x 2 weeks
Tinea pedis: Apply 12 hourly x 1 week or 24 hourly x 4 weeks		 Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (contact dermatitis, burning/stinging sensation, erythema, irritation, itching)
Special Instructions
  • Tinea pedis: Length of therapy is usually 3-4 weeks
  • Tinea corporis and cruris: Length of therapy is usually 1-2 weeks
  • Continue treatment for few days-1 week after lesions clear
Imidazoles
Bifonazole 1% solution, cream Apply 24 hourly Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (occasional local irritation and hypersensitivity reactions, mild burning sensation, erythema, pruritus)
Special Instructions
  • Tinea pedis: Length of therapy is usually 3-4 weeks
  • Tinea corporis and cruris: Length of therapy is usually 1-2 weeks
  • Continue treatment for few days to 1 week after lesions clear
Clotrimazole1 1% powder, solution, lotion, cream, spray Apply 8-12 hourly
Econazole1 1% cream Apply 8-12 hourly
Fluconazole 0.5% gel Apply 24 hourly
Isoconazole1 1% cream Apply 12-24 hourly
Ketoconazole 2% cream, gel, spray Apply 12-24 hourly
Luliconazole 1% cream Apply 24 hourly
Miconazole1 2% powder, solution, tinct, cream, liquid soap Apply 12 hourly
Oxiconazole 1% lotion, cream Apply 12-24 hourly
Sertaconazole 2% cream Apply 12-24 hourly
Sulconazole 1% cream, solution Apply 12-24 hourly
Tioconazole 1% solution, cream Apply 12-24 hourly
Other Agents
Amorolfine 0.25% cream Apply 24 hourly x 2-3 weeks Adverse Reactions
  • Amorolfine: Dermatologic effects (erythema, pruritus, burning sensation)
  • Ciclopirox: Dermatologic effects (pruritus, redness, burning sensation, pain)
  • Tolnaftate: Dermatologic effects (irritation, stinging sensation, pruritus, contact dermatitis)
Special Instructions
  • Tinea pedis: Length of therapy is usually 3-4 weeks
  • Tinea corporis and cruris: Length of therapy is usually 1-2 weeks
  • Continue treatment for few days to 1 week after lesions clear
Ciclopirox
(Ciclopiroxolamine,
Ciclopirox olamine)		 0.77% cream, gel
1% cream		 Apply 12 hourly
Tolnaftate2 1% powder, solution, lotion, cream, ointment, spray liquid,
spray powder		 Apply 8-12 hourly
Combination Agents
Salicylic acid/Benzoic acid  Salicylic acid 60 mg/Benzoic acid 120 mg ointment Apply 12 hourly Adverse Reactions
  • Dermatologic effects (local irritation, itchy rash, allergic reactions)
Special Instructions
  • Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth and other mucous membranes
  • Avoid in patients with DM or impaired circulation
  • Do not use for extended periods, in high concentration, over large body areas, or on broken or inflamed skin
Undecylenic acid/Zinc Undecylenate/Glycyrrhetinic acid  Undecylenic acid 5%/Zinc Undecylenate 10%/Glycyrrhetinic acid 0.5% cream Apply 8-12 hourly Special Instructions
  • Avoid contact with eyes
  • Discontinue use if symptoms (eg rash, itchiness, redness) appear
1Combination with a corticosteroid is available. Please see the latest MIMS for specific formulations and prescribing information.
2Combination with Chlorhexidine is available. Please see the latest MIMS for specific formulations and prescribing information.

Disclaimer

All dosage recommendations are for non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women, and non-elderly adults with normal renal and hepatic function unless otherwise stated.  
Not all products are available or approved for above use in all countries.  
Products listed in the Drug Summary are based on indications stated in the locally approved product monographs.   
Please refer to local product monographs in Related MIMS Drugs for country-specific prescribing information.   

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