Bioavailability, Skin‐and Nailpenetration of Topically Applied Antimycotics*

Abstract

Summary: The penetration and permeation of econazol, oxiconazol and dimethylmorpholinohydrochlorid in the human skin and nails have been performed using the measurement of radio labelled substances (C 14 ≅ 250 μCi/ml) in vitro (penetration chamber) and in vivo. The penetration of the antimycotics inside the horny layer of the skin and the layers of the nail (10 μg/ml) ist sufficient enough to inhibit the growth of fungi by fungistatic mechanism. DMSO increases the penetration rate into the nail plate. Antimycotics solved in tinctures show a better penetration into the nails than the ointments which have advantages in penetrating the skin. The small fungicid effect and low dose in the deeper nails explains the long time topical treatment necessary at least for 6 months respectively the moulting process of the nail keratin.