Loceryl 5% Nail Lacquer

What is Loceryl fungal nail treatment?

Loceryl is a highly effective fungal nail treatment that clears up the infection on both finger and toenails. The lacquer is painted directly onto the affected nails with an easy-to-use, reusable applicator.

Loceryl contains the active ingredient amorolfine which destroys a wide variety of fungi that are responsible for causing fungal nail infections. You only need to apply Loceryl once or twice a week for it to be effective and can be used underneath cosmetic nail polish.

Loceryl is a branded treatment that is manufactured by Galderma and is available in 5mL packs.

How does Loceryl work?

The active ingredient in Loceryl nail lacquer is amorolfine, which is an antifungal medicine, meaning it destroys fungi that cause nail infections.

Loceryl is painted directly onto the infected nails where the amorolfine is absorbed. It then stops the fungus from producing a chemical called ergosterol which causes the fungal cells to break down and die. Over time the infected nail is then replaced by a fresh, healthy nail. Once a nail has become infected, you cannot cure the infection for that part of the nail to become healthy again, therefore, you need to treat the nail to stop the infection from spreading whilst the infected nail grows out.

How effective is Loceryl?

Loceryl is an effective treatment for fungal nail infection but depending on where your nail infection is, the treatment time will vary.

• For fingernails, Loceryl will take up to six months to get rid of the infection.
• For toenails, treatment can take between 9 and 12 months to be successful.

Treating a fungal nail infection can take a long time and it can be frustrating waiting to see any improvements. Nails grow relatively slowly and you are not only waiting for the infected nail to grow out but for the new nail to grow. You should see improvement over time as your nail grows out. You can take photos of your nail periodically to assess the results as often it will be hard to notice day-to-day.

If you are concerned that your treatment is not working you should discuss this with a pharmacist or a doctor.

Loceryl vs. Curanail - Nail lacquer alternatives

Loceryl is a prescription-strength fungal nail treatment that contains the active ingredient amorolfine.

At The Independent Pharmacy, we also prescribe and sell both Curanail, an over-the-counter brand of fungal nail treatment containing the same active ingredient available in 3ml packs, and Amorolfine 5% Nail Lacquer as a generic alternative to Loceryl in 5mL packs.

Sources

• https://patient.info/medicine/amorolfine-for-fungal-nail-infections-loceryl-curanail-omicur
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-nail-infection/
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/amorolfine.html
• Loceryl Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1411/pil

Loceryl warnings

Please ensure you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Loceryl.

• Loceryl should not be applied to the skin around the nail.
• Avoid Loceryl coming into contact with your eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
• You should not use artificial nails when using Loceryl. Wait 10 minutes before applying cosmetic nail varnish and remove it before reapplying Loceryl.

Loceryl & pregnancy

As your doctor or a pharmacist for advice before using Loceryl if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor will then decide whether you should use Loceryl.

How to use Loceryl

Loceryl is for topical use only and should be applied directly to the nails affected by a fungal infection.

Do not use nail files on healthy nails as this may spread the infection.

• Before applying Loceryl nail lacquer use one of the supplied, single-use, nail files to file down the affected areas of the nail as much as you can.
• Clean each affected nail thoroughly with a disposable alcohol wipe.
• Paint the Loceryl solution over the entire surface of the infected nails using the reusable applicator.
• Leave the nail to dry completely for around 3 minutes.
• Clean the applicator after use with the swab you used to clean the nail then dispose of it carefully.
• Reapply the lacquer once or twice a week (as directed by your doctor).
• Continue the treatment until the infected section of the nail has completely grown out.

Please ensure you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Loceryl.

Loceryl ingredients

The active ingredient in Loceryl: amorolfine 50 mg/ml.

The inactive ingredients in Loceryl: ammonio methacrylate copolymer A, triacetin, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate and ethanol.

Loceryl side effects

Loceryl, in the same way as other medications, may occasionally cause some people to experience side effects.

The most common Loceryl side effects include:

• Nail discolouration.
• Broken or brittle nails.
• Skin burning sensation in the area of use.
• Redness, itching or blistering of the skin.

If you experience an allergic reaction or severe side effects you should seek immediate support from your nearest emergency department.

If you are worried about any side effects or you do not feel like they are improving over time you should get advice from a pharmacist or doctor.

Please ensure you read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Loceryl.