Tolnaftate solution (0.5% and 1.0%) is effective in the treatment of superficial mycotic infections due to Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, T tonsurans, and Malassezia furfur.
When the diagnosis of a mycotic infection is established from scrapings and cultures, relief from itching is produced by topical applications in from 24 to 72 hours.
Interdigital infections due to T rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and E floccosum are cleared in 7 to 21 days.
Tolnaftate solution was of no value in the treatment of Candida albicans infections, scalp and nail lesions.
In vitro, tolnaftate solution has antifungal activity against M gypseum, T rubrum, M canis, E floccosum, T tonsurans, M audouini, and T mentagrophytes, but not against Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, or C albicans.
In vitro studies indicate that tolnaftate solution has fungicidal as well as fungistatic activity.