Ecoza (Econazole) – Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages - Verywell Health
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What Is Ecoza?
Ecoze (econazole) is an azole antifungal topical medication used to treat certain fungal infections of the skin.
Econazole blocks a fungal protein called cytochrome P-450-mediated 14 alpha-lanosterol demethylase enzyme. By inhibiting this fungal protein, econazole prevents lanosterol—a type of steroid—from converting to ergosterol. Ergosterol is important in forming the fungal cell wall. So, econazole works by interfering with the structure of the fungal cell wall.
Econazole is available as a topical cream (generic econazole) or as a foam (under the brand name Ecoza). It can be used to treat infections such as:
Drug Facts
Generic name: Econazole
Brand name(s): Ecoza
Drug availability: Prescription
Administration route: Topical
Therapeutic classification: Antifungal
Available generically: Yes
Controlled substance: N/A
Active ingredient: Econazole nitrate
Dosage form(s): Cream, foam
What Is Ecoza Used For?
Ecoza topical foam and econazole cream can be used in people 12 years and older to treat foot ringworm infection (tinea pedis, or athlete's foot).
Athlete's foot commonly occurs in the spaces between your toes. However, the infection can spread to other areas of your feet. Typical symptoms may include a burning, stinging, and an itchy feeling in these areas. The skin on your feet may also look cracked and scaly.
Econazole cream can also be prescribed to treat other fungal skin infections, including:
- Tinea cruris (jock itch): This is a fungal infection of the skin of the groin. It is sometimes referred to as ringworm of the groin.
- Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body): This is a fungal skin infection, and you'll usually find several infected skin patches at once. Ringworm can be found on almost any body part.
- Candida skin infections (cutaneous candidiasis): These are common fungal infections of the skin that are caused by yeast. While this infection can occur on any part of your body, it tends to appear in the armpits, groin, and other creased places or areas with skinfolds that are warm and moist.
- Sun fungus (tinea versicolor, or pityriasis versicolor): This is a common fungal skin infection with the characteristic symptom of scaly spots on your skin that are either lighter or darker than your usual skin color.
How to Use Ecoza
Use enough econazole to cover the infected areas on your skin. Use the cream once daily for athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and tinea versicolor. For candida skin infections, on the other hand, use the cream twice daily, in the morning and then in the evening.
Remember to wash your hands before using topical products. Also, clean the infected areas of your skin. If you prefer, use gloves before cleaning your skin and applying the cream.
After your skin is dry, gently rub the cream into the infected areas until you can no longer see the medication on your skin. Again, use just enough cream to cover the infected areas.
After you are done applying the cream, make sure to wash your hands again.
How to Store Ecoza
With econazole being a noncontrolled topical product, your healthcare provider can authorize enough refills for up to one year from the originally written date on the prescription. Since the cream should clear the infection within a few weeks, however, your healthcare provider might authorize fewer refills.
Once you pick up econazole from the pharmacy, store the medication (cream or foam) at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F. Note that the topical foam is flammable; keep it away from heat, flame, or smoking during or immediately after applying to your skin.
Before traveling with econazole, make sure to become familiar with the regulations of your final destination. In general, however, consider making a copy of your econazole prescription. Also, keep the medication in its original container or packaging—with your name on it—from the pharmacy.
Off-Label Uses
There are no reported off-label uses for econazole.
How Long Does Econazole Take to Work?
Many people notice an improvement in their symptoms soon after starting econazole. Your skin should look better within two to six weeks, depending on the infection. If you don't notice any improvement by this time, your healthcare provider will likely discuss the next steps. Although your skin infection appears to be clearing up, continue to use the cream until your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
What Are the Side Effects of Ecoza?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
Side effects of econazole nitrate will develop on the areas of skin where you applied it, which also are the infected areas of your skin. Some reported side effects include the following in the areas where the cream was applied:
- Burning
- Itching
- Redness
- Rash
- Stinging
Severe Side Effects
Although the above sensations or feelings at the application site are often mild, they can be excessive or serious. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice any of these side effects on the infected areas of your skin.
Long-Term Side Effects
Econazole is usually used for just six weeks or less, which is not considered long-term use. In fact, according to the prescribing information of econazole nitrate, there are no long-term studies to know the long-term side effects of this topical product.
Report Side Effects
Econazole may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
Dosage: How Much Ecoza Should I Take?
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For topical dosage form (cream):
- For cutaneous candidiasis:
- Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) two times a day (morning and evening) for 2 weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, or tinea versicolor:
- Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) once a day for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For cutaneous candidiasis:
- For topical dosage form (foam):
- For interdigital tinea pedis:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area(s) once a day for 4 weeks.
- Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For interdigital tinea pedis:
Modifications
The following are common circumstances that can affect how individuals take certain medications. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Pregnancy
There is limited safety and efficacy data on using topical econazole nitrate during pregnancy. The benefits and risks should be weighed before using this medication while pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant.
Breastfeeding
There is no safety and efficacy data on the effect of topical econazole nitrate on babies whose breastfeeding parent uses Ecoza. Since less than 1% of the topical medication is absorbed through the skin and into the rest of the body, negative effects in the infant are unlikely.
However, avoid applying econazole nitrate around the nipple area to prevent the nursing baby from accidentally swallowing the medication. Additionally, be conscious of where you applied the topical product to limit the baby's contact with these areas.
Missed Dose
If you accidentally forget to use your econazole cream, apply it to the infected areas as soon as you remember. If it's getting close to your next application time, however, then skip this missed dose and apply the medication again at your next scheduled time. Don't use more than usual to make up for the missed dose.
If you miss too many doses in a row, your treatment course with econazole might be too short to clear the infection effectively. Missing too many doses might raise the likelihood of the fungal infection becoming resistant to the medication. Additionally, there is a higher chance of the fungal infection coming back.
Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Ecoza?
Overdose with topical econazole nitrate hasn't been reported in humans.
However, don't use more than your healthcare provider recommends. If you experience any worrisome or bothersome symptoms, immediately let your healthcare provider know or contact the Poison Control Center.
What Happens If I Overdose on Ecoze?
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on or accidentally ingested Ecoza, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).
If someone collapses or isn't breathing after using Ecoza, call 911 immediately.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and check you for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.
Do not use this medicine for a skin problem that has not been checked by your doctor.
If your skin problem does not improve within 2 weeks or more, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, redness, or irritation on the skin.
Good health habits are also required for patients using this medicine to help clear up your infection completely and to help make sure it does not return.
For patients using the cream for athlete's foot (tinea pedis; ringworm of the foot), the following instructions will help keep the feet cool and dry:
- Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing.
- Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (eg, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat a lot.
- Wear sandals or well-ventilated shoes (eg, shoes with holes).
- Use a bland, absorbent powder (eg, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder (eg, tolnaftate) between the toes, on the feet, and in socks and shoes one or two times a day. It is best to use the powder between the times you use the cream.
- If you have any questions about these instructions, check with your doctor.
For patients using the cream for ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris; jock itch), the following instructions will help reduce chafing and irritation and will also help keep the groin area cool and dry:
- Avoid wearing underwear that is tight-fitting or made from synthetic materials (eg, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
- Use a bland, absorbent powder (eg, talcum powder) or an antifungal powder (eg, tolnaftate) on the skin. It is best to use the powder between the times you use the cream.
- If you have any questions about these instructions, check with your doctor.
What Are Reasons I Shouldn't Use Ecoza?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to Ecoza or its components.
What Other Medications Interact With Ecoza?
Taking the blood-thinner Jantoven (warfarin) with topical econazole can lead to a higher risk of warfarin-induced side effects when used in the following ways:
- Wrapping or tightly covering the infected areas treated with econazole
- Applying econazole to the genital areas
- Applying econazole to a large percentage of your body
The above-listed actions can result in more econazole being absorbed through the skin and into the body, which can cause an interaction with warfarin. Therefore, the prescribing provider will closely monitor your warfarin labs to prevent any serious bleeding and bruising side effects.
Get medical attention immediately if you experience signs of severe bleeding or bruising.
What Medications Are Similar?
Other antifungal options are also available. Unlike Ecoza, however, some of them aren't in the azole antifungal medication class.
Azole antifungal topical products similar to econazole include:
In general, topical antifungals are effective at treating most fungal skin infections. However, sertaconazole is only approved to treat athlete's foot.
Ketoconazole and sertaconazole are both available by prescription, but you can get clotrimazole and miconazole over the counter (OTC).
However, since insurance doesn't cover OTC products, some people prefer prescription alternatives for antifungals.
Since all of these medications are topical azole antifungals, they are not typically used together. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Using Ecoza?
Finding out that you have a fungal skin infection can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are ways to treat and prevent these types of infections. The following are some general self-care tips:
- To treat the fungal skin infection, apply econazole once to twice daily for two to six weeks, depending on your healthcare provider's recommendations.
- Try to keep the infected areas clean and dry to discourage the fungus from continuing to grow.
- Use one towel for the infected areas and another for the other parts of your body.
- Avoid sharing towels, clothes, and other personal items to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Regularly change your clothes—including underwear and socks—daily.
- Wear flip-flops or sandals—instead of walking barefoot—in public areas, such as locker room showers.
- To prevent your pet from spreading a fungal skin infection to you, take your pet to the veterinarian if you suspect a fungal infection
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Health's drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.
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