Pharmacokinetics

The penetration of oxiconazole nitrate into different layers of the skin was assessed using an in vitro permeation technique with human skin. Five hours after application of 2.5 mg/cm2 of oxiconazole nitrate cream onto human skin, the concentration of oxiconazole nitrate was demonstrated to be 16.2 μmol in the epidermis, 3.64 μmol in the upper corium, and 1.29 μmol in the deeper corium. Systemic absorption of oxiconazole nitrate is low. Using radiolabeled drug, less than 0.3% of the applied dose of oxiconazole nitrate was recovered in the urine of volunteer subjects up to 5 days after application of the cream formulation. Neither in vitro nor in vivo studies have been conducted to establish relative activity between the lotion and cream formulations.

Microbiology

Oxiconazole nitrate is an imidazole derivative whose antifungal activity is derived primarily from the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, which is critical for cellular membrane integrity. It has in vitro activity against a wide range of pathogenic fungi.

Oxiconazole has been shown to be active against most strains of the following organisms both in vitro and in clinical infections at indicated body sites (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE):

 

Epidermophyton floccosum

 

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

 

Trichophyton rubrum

 

Malassezia furfur

The following in vitro data are available; however, their clinical significance is unknown. Oxiconazole exhibits satisfactory in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against most strains of the following organisms; however, the safety and efficacy of oxiconazole in treating clinical infections due to these organisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials:

 

Candida albicans

 

Microsporum audouini

 

Microsporum canis

 

Microsporum gypseum

 

Trichophyton tonsurans

 

Trichophyton violaceum

General

Oxiconazole nitrate cream is for external dermal use only. Avoid introduction of oxiconazole nitrate cream into the eyes or vagina. If a reaction suggesting sensitivity or chemical irritation should occur with the use of oxiconazole nitrate cream, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. If signs of epidermal irritation should occur, the drug should be discontinued.

Information for Patients

The patient should be instructed to:

1. Use oxiconazole nitrate cream as directed by the physician. The hands should be washed after applying the medication to the affected area(s). Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and other mucous membranes. Oxiconazole nitrate cream is for external use only.
2. Use the medication for the full treatment time recommended by the physician, even though symptoms may have improved. Notify the physician if there is no improvement after 2 to 4 weeks, or sooner if the condition worsens (see below).
3. Inform the physician if the area of application shows signs of increased irritation, itching, burning, blistering, swelling, or oozing.
4. Avoid the use of occlusive dressings unless otherwise directed by the physician.
5. Do not use this medication for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.

Drug Interactions

Potential drug interactions between oxiconazole nitrate cream and other drugs have not been systematically evaluated.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Although no long-term studies in animals have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, no evidence of mutagenic effect was found in 2 mutation assays (Ames test and Chinese hamster V79 in vitro cell mutation assay) or in 2 cytogenetic assays (human peripheral blood lymphocyte in vitro chromosome aberration assay and in vivo micronucleus assay in mice).

Reproductive studies revealed no impairment of fertility in rats at oral doses of 3 mg/kg/day in females (1 time the human dose based on mg/m2) and 15 mg/kg/day in males (4 times the human dose based on mg/m2). However, at doses above this level, the following effects were observed: a reduction in the fertility parameters of males and females, a reduction in the number of sperm in vaginal smears, extended estrous cycle, and a decrease in mating frequency.

Pregnancy

Nursing Mothers

Because oxiconazole is excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when the drug is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Oxiconazole nitrate cream may be used in pediatric patients for tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea (pityriasis) versicolor; however, these indications for which oxiconazole nitrate cream has been shown to be effective rarely occur in children below the age of 12.

Geriatric Use

A limited number of patients at or above 60 years of age (n ~ 396) have been treated with oxiconazole nitrate cream in US and non-US clinical trials, and a limited number (n = 43) have been treated with oxiconazole nitrate lotion in US clinical trials. The number of patients is too small to permit separate analysis of efficacy and safety. No adverse events were reported with oxiconazole nitrate lotion in geriatric patients, and the adverse reactions reported with oxiconazole nitrate cream in this population were similar to those reported by younger patients. Based on available data, no adjustment of dosage of oxiconazole nitrate cream in geriatric patients is warranted.

Definitions

1. Mycological Cure: No evidence (culture and KOH preparation) of the baseline (original) pathogen in a specimen from the affected area taken at the 2-week post-treatment visit (for tinea [pityriasis] versicolor, mycological cure was limited to KOH only).
2. Treatment Success: Both a global evaluation of ≥90% clinical improvement and a microbiologic eradication (see above) at the 2-week post-treatment visit.

Tinea Pedis

THERE ARE NO HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON TRIALS OF THE OXICONAZOLE NITRATE CREAM AND LOTION FORMULATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF TINEA PEDIS.

Tinea (pityriasis) Versicolor

Two pivotal clinical trials of oxiconazole nitrate cream in tinea (pityriasis) versicolor involved 219 evaluable patients in the q day oxiconazole nitrate and vehicle arms of the trial with clinical and mycological evidence of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor. Patients were treated for 2 weeks with oxiconazole nitrate cream once daily, or with cream vehicle. The combined results of these clinical trials at the 2-week post-treatment follow-up visit are shown in the following table. These results are based on 207 patients (110 in the oxiconazole nitrate group and 97 in the vehicle group) with efficacy evaluations at this visit.

Only once a day was shown in both studies to be statistically superior to vehicle for all efficacy parameters at 2 weeks and follow-up.

Store at 20° – 25°C (68° – 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].