Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXTINA versus SELSUN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXTINA versus SELSUN.
EXTINA vs SELSUN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Antifungal agent that inhibits the enzyme 14α-demethylase, blocking the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes.
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.
2.5% to 3.5% solution applied topically twice daily for 4 weeks.
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
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 24-32 hours in adults, allowing once-daily dosing. Half-life may be prolonged in patients with renal impairment.
Not well defined due to minimal systemic absorption; topical application yields negligible plasma levels.
Primarily renal excretion of unchanged drug (approximately 80-90% of the absorbed dose), with minor hepatic metabolism and fecal elimination (<10%).
Selenium sulfide is minimally absorbed; absorbed portions are excreted renally (approx. 80-90%) and fecally (10-20%).
Category C
Category C
Antifungal
Antifungal/Antiseborrheic