Clear Nails Plus
In some cases, what looks like toenail fungus is actually a nail injury. If your doctor confirms a nail-fungus infection, the new drugs may help, but not usually. In studies of up to 54 weeks, the two newer nail lacquers, Clear Nails Plus (Kerydin) and efinaconazole (Jublia), cleared up fungal infections for 6.5 to 17.8 percent of users. In addition, the drugs have to be applied every day for 11 months—and cost about $600 per bottle. The older paint-on drug ciclopirox (Penlac nail lacquer and generic) clears up nail fungus infection in 5.5 to 8.5 percent of infected people. Oral prescription anti-fungals such as terbinafine (Lamisil and generic) are more effective (they cure 66 percent of fungal infections after 12 weeks) but pose risks, including digestive discomfort, headache, rash, loss of sense of smell, and in rare cases, liver problems.
