Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CICLOPIROX versus SELSUN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CICLOPIROX versus SELSUN.
CICLOPIROX vs SELSUN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyridone antifungal agent that chelates polyvalent metal cations (e.g., Fe3+, Al3+) inhibiting metal-dependent enzymes, thereby disrupting fungal cellular metabolic processes, including mitochondrial electron transport and energy production.
Selenium sulfide is an antifungal agent that inhibits the growth of Malassezia species by reducing selenium to elemental selenium, which is toxic to the fungus. It also reduces sebum production via unknown mechanisms.
Ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer: Apply to affected nails once daily for up to 48 weeks. Ciclopirox 1% cream or lotion: Apply to affected skin twice daily for 2-4 weeks. Ciclopirox 1% shampoo: Apply to wet hair, lather, leave for 3 minutes, rinse; use twice weekly for 4 weeks (for seborrheic dermatitis).
Apply 5-10 mL of 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion to affected areas of scalp, lather with water, leave on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Use twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once weekly for maintenance.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateCiclopirox + Tranilast
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ciclopirox is combined with Tranilast."
Clinical Note
moderateCiclopirox + Tolfenamic acid
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ciclopirox is combined with Tolfenamic acid."
Clinical Note
moderateCiclopirox + Nimesulide
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ciclopirox is combined with Nimesulide."
Clinical Note
moderateCiclopirox + Risedronic acid
Terminal elimination half-life: 1.7-3.0 hours in healthy individuals; prolonged in hepatic impairment
Not well defined due to minimal systemic absorption; topical application yields negligible plasma levels.
Renal: approximately 70-80% of the absorbed dose as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates; biliary/fecal: ~20-30%
Selenium sulfide is minimally absorbed; absorbed portions are excreted renally (approx. 80-90%) and fecally (10-20%).
Category A/B
Category C
Antifungal
Antifungal/Antiseborrheic
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ciclopirox is combined with Risedronic acid."