Butenafine

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Current revision

Butenafine hydrochloride is a synthetic benzylamine antifungal, marketed under the trade names Mentax, Butop(India) and is the active ingredient in Schering-Plough's Lotrimin Ultra. It is structurally related to synthetic allylamine antifungals such as terbinafine.

[edit] Pharmacology

Butenafine hydrochloride is an odorless white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in methanol, ethanol, and chloroform, and slightly soluble in water.

Like the allylamine antifungals, butenafine works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme responsible for the creation of sterols needed in fungal cell membranes. Lacking ergosterol, the cell membranes increase in permeability, allowing their contents to leak out.

[edit] Indications

Butenafine is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea (pityriasis) versicolor due to M. furfur, as well as athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis), ringworm (Tinea corporis) and jock itch (Tinea cruris) due to E. floccosum, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and T. tonsurans. It has superior fungicidal activity against this group of fungi when compared to that of terbinafine, naftifine, clotrimazole, and tolnaftate.

It also displays superior activity against Candida albicans when compared against terbinafine and naftifine. Butenafine demonstrates low minimum inhibitory concentrations against cryptococcus and aspergillus.

Butenafine is typically available as a 1% topical cream.

[edit] Typical usage

For 1% cream

• for adults and children 12 years and older
• wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying
• apply once a day to affected skin for 2 weeks or as directed by a doctor
• wash hands after each use
• children under 12 years: ask a doctor