Spectazole Topical

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain econazole. It may not be specific to Spectazole. Please read with care.

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina.

Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.

Apply enough medicine to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas, and rub in gently.

For patients using the foam:

• This medicine should come with a patient information insert. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
• This medicine is flammable. Do not use it near heat, an open flame, or while smoking. Do not puncture, break, or burn the medicine container.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Since fungus or yeast infections may be very slow to clear up, you may have to continue using this medicine every day for several weeks or more. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

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 cutaneous candidiasis:
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) two times a day (morning and evening) for 2 weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, or tinea versicolor:
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) once a day for 2 to 4 weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For topical dosage form (foam):
  • For interdigital tinea pedis:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area(s) once a day for 4 weeks.
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and check you for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

Do not use this medicine for a skin problem that has not been checked by your doctor.

If your skin problem does not improve within 2 weeks or more, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, redness, or irritation on the skin.

Good health habits are also required for patients using this medicine to help clear up your infection completely and to help make sure it does not return.

For patients using the cream for athlete's foot (tinea pedis; ringworm of the foot), the following instructions will help keep the feet cool and dry:

• Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
• Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (eg, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat a lot.
• Wear sandals or well-ventilated shoes (eg, shoes with holes).
• Use a bland, absorbent powder (eg, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder (eg, tolnaftate) between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoes one or two times a day. It is best to use the powder between the times you use the cream.
• If you have any questions about these instructions, check with your doctor.

For patients using the cream for ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris; jock itch), the following instructions will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also help keep the groin area cool and dry:

• Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (eg, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
• Use a bland, absorbent powder (eg, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder (eg, tolnaftate) on the skin. It is best to use the powder between the times you use the cream.
• If you have any questions about these instructions, check with your doctor.

Econazole is used to treat a variety of fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm. This medication is also used to treat a skin condition known as pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs. Econazole is an azole antifungal that works by preventing the growth of fungus.

How to use Spectazole Cream

Use this medication on the skin only. Clean and thoroughly dry the area to be treated. Apply this medication on and around the affected area as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a day. The dosage and length of treatment depend on the type of infection being treated. Do not apply this medication more often or use for longer than prescribed.

Wash your hands after using unless the area being treated includes the hands. Do not wrap, cover, or bandage the area unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Do not apply this medication in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or inside the vagina. If you do get the medication in those areas, flush with plenty of water.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.

Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts after 2 weeks of treatment (or after 4 weeks of treatment for athlete's foot) or if it gets worse.

Before using econazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other azole antifungals (such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

When treating pityriasis, this medication may not cause a return to normal skin color right away. It may take several months after treatment is completed for your natural skin color to return.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.Information last revised September 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.

Applies to econazole topical: topical cream, topical foam, topical powder, topical solution

Along with its needed effects, econazole topical (the active ingredient contained in Spectazole) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking econazole topical:

• Burning, itching, stinging, redness, or other sign of irritation at the application site
• rash