Curanail
What is Curanail
Curanail is a medicated antifungal lacquer containing amorolfine 5%. It is used to treat early-to-moderate fungal nail infections, also known as onchomycosis, caused by yeasts, dermatophytes and moulds.
Whilst previously only available on prescription under the brand Loceryl, the same amorolfine formulation is now available over the counter as Curanail, without the need for a prescription.
When applied to the nails, Curanail dries, forming a protective lacquer. This allows the medicine to be continuously absorbed deep into the nail bed to destroy the fungus right at the source.
Can I Buy Curanail Without a Prescription?
Yes. Curanail is classified in the UK as a Pharmacy-Only (P) medicine. This means you do not need a prescription from a doctor to order it.
As a ‘P’ medication, when buying it, the purchase still needs to be supervised by a qualified pharmacist. Here at Quick Meds, this simply means answering a few questions about your symptoms and medical history at checkout.
Our GPhC-registered pharmacists review your details, ensuring Curanail is safe and appropriate for your infection, before packing your order securely and discreetly and posting straight to you.
A common misconception is that a larger pack size turns Curanail into a prescription medicine. This is not the case - the requirement for a prescription depends on the severity and location of the infection.
Is Curanail Right For My Nails?
Curanail is licensed for mild, localised fungal nail infections. You can safely treat your nails without having to speak to a doctor if your infection meets the following criteria:
Location - The infection starts at the tip or outer sides of the nail.
Number of Nails - It affects no more than 2 nails in total, across both hands or feet.
Severity - It covers less than half the affected nail’s surface area.
Age - You are aged 18 or over.
When Not to Use Curanail
You should not purchase Curanail over the counter, and instead speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
The infection has spread to the nail root.
The infection covers more than 50% of the nail surface
You have more than 2 infected nails.
Your nails are severely thickened, or painful.
You have underlying health conditions - diabetes, poor circulation, weak immune system.
You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
You are under 18 years of age.
When an infection affects multiple nails, or has reached the root, nail lacquer alone is usually not enough. In these cases, you may need oral prescription treatment such as terbinafine tablets.
How Do You Use Curanail?
To ensure the treatment penetrates the nail effectively, the nail lacquer should be applied once weekly, using the following steps:
File the infected nail, using the disposable file provided in the box. (Do not use the same file on healthy nails to avoid spreading the infection)
Cleanse the nail, using the alcohol swab provided. This helps to remove grease, dirt or old lacquer.
Apply the lacquer. Dip the applicator into the Curanail bottle and paint evenly over the whole surface of the infected nail. Allow the lacquer to dry completely (3 to 5 minutes)
Clean the applicator, with the alcohol swab before returning it to the bottle.
For the next weekly dose, clean off any old lacquer using the alcohol swab, file the infected nail again, wipe and reapply.
Cosmetic nail polish can be applied to the nail, but you should wait for 10 minutes after applying Curanail.
Do not use artificial nails during the treatment period.
How Long Does It Take To Work
Curanail is clinically proven to eliminate the fungus that causes the infection, but treatment requires patience and consistency.
The treatment will kill the fungus present in the nail, but it cannot reverse or repair the parts of the nail already damaged, discoloured or thickened. For a full recovery, the infected part of the nail needs to completely grow out naturally.
For fingernails, continuous weekly treatment usually takes 6 months.
For toenails, as they grow much more slowly, treatment usually takes between 9 to 12 months.
To see whether treatment is working, you should notice a healthy, clear nail growing from the base, as the damaged tip is gradually filed away.
If you notice no improvement after 3 months of consistent use, you should speak to your pharmacists or doctor to reassess your treatment plan.
Curanail Side Effects and Precautions
As the treatment is applied locally to the nail surface, a very small amount actually enters the bloodstream. Because of this, systemic side effects (affecting the whole body) are exceptionally rare.
Rare side effects, affecting less than 1 in 1,000 people include:
Mild skin redness
Local burning sensations
Contact dermatitis around the skin bordering the nail.
Very rare side effects, affecting less than 1 in 10,000 people, includes nail brittleness or cracking, though this is usually a symptom of the infection itself.
If you experience swelling of the face, tongue, throat or mouth, with a rash, these are signs of an allergic reaction. In this case, you should wash off the lacquer and seek immediate medical attention.
References
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9436/smpc
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9436/pil
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7413/smpc
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fungal-nail-infection/
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/amorolfine/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-nail-infection/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/a-to-z/fungal-nail-infection/
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Is Curanail prescription-only?+−
No. Curanail is a Pharmacy medicine (P-med). You do not need a prescription to purchase it, though a pharmacist must verify your eligibility before you can access the treatment.
Is Loceryl the same as Curanail?+−
Yes. Both products contain amorolfine 5% though Loceryl must be prescribed by a registered prescriber and cannot be bought over the counter.
Which product should I use: Loceryl or Curanail?+−
Whilst both products contain amorolfine 5%, the difference lies in the severity of infection. For mild-to-moderate infections, affecting less than 2 nails, and less than 50% of the nail surface, Curanail is suitable.
For more severe infections, you should request Loceryl from a registered prescriber.
Does Curanail work on thick toenails?+−
Curanail can penetrate thickened nails if you regularly file down the damaged nail before applying. However, if the nail is severely thickened, distorted or crumbling, oral prescription treatment is usually required.
How often do you apply Curanail?+−
Curanail, under standard OTC licensing, is applied once a week.
