Development and Evaluation of Antifungal Lacquer for Enhanced Transungual Drug Delivery

Onychomycosis, a mycotic nail infection caused primarily by dermatophytes, yeasts, and nondermatophyte molds, is an endemic condition in 5-10% of the world population. The tightly keratinous nature of the nail plate and its relatively slow growth rate constitute a significant barrier to effective drug delivery. Traditional treatment with oral antifungals and topical creams is often restricted by systemic toxicities, poor penetration of nails, and low patient compliance. Antifungal lacquers are a new choice with controlled drug delivery, sustained release, and improved patient compliance. The review paper outlines a critical overview of antifungal lacquer development, formulation strategy, mode of action, and clinical evaluation. It also discusses the issues of transungual drug delivery and brings in recent developments that have occurred in this field, e.g., nanotechnology and combination therapy