Find the Best Jublia Alternative: Effective Solutions on the Market

Onychomycosis of the toenail is extremely common. Experts have estimated that 1 in 10 people and up to 50% of people older than 70 suffer from this chronic fungal infection.

You may not realize that this condition is contagious. You may have picked it up from someone you know or a surface infected with dermatophyte mold, the most common cause of onychomycosis.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with this condition forever. Antifungal medications like Jublia can eliminate the infection for good. But this topical medication is expensive, so you may be looking for a Jublia alternative.

In this guide, we will help you understand why Jublia is so expensive and the prescription and over-the-counter medications to consider instead.

What Is Jublia?

Jublia (efinaconazole) is a topical antifungal medication used to treat fungal onychomycosis infections in, beneath, and on toenails. This topical medication contains efinaconazole, which directly kills the infection-causing fungus.

You might need Jublia if you have thick, yellowing, or extremely dry toenails. When left untreated, your toenails may become extremely brittle or even crumble away.

Jublia is only available with a doctor’s prescription. With a valid prescription, patients can expect to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for this medication.

Why Is Jublia So Expensive?

Jublia is so expensive because it is a brand-name drug. A generic version of Jublia was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, but it is not yet available for prescription.

In the meantime, there are alternatives to Jublia you can try. Some medications may be equally as effective as Jublia, but over-the-counter options generally do not provide the same results as prescription options.

The Best Jublia Alternatives

If Jublia is too expensive at your pharmacy, check the price of Kerydin (topical tavaborole), generic ciclopirox, and Lamisil or generic terbinafine. These antifungals are the best alternatives to Jublia available today.

Kerydin

Kerydin is the brand name for an antifungal topical containing the active ingredient tavaborole. It is one of the best alternatives to Jublia, but it can cost just as much, if not more, than Jublia. The good news is that the FDA has approved a generic version of tavaborole topical.

Jublia and Kerydin antifungals only have one use. Both prescription topical medications only treat onychomycosis infections of the toenail. Of course, your doctor may recommend these treatments off-label for other types of fungal infections.

Kerydin has a formula that is very similar to Jublia. It is a lightweight alcohol-based cream. Formulating topicals with alcohol instead of oil allows for mess-free application and quick absorption into the skin.

In studies, Kerydin is not as effective as Jublia for treating fungal infections in the nails. For example, one study found that Jublia is better at killing fungi whereas Kerydin merely inhibits new fungi from growing in toenails.

Generic Ciclopirox

Penlac is the brand name for the antifungal medication ciclopirox. The price of Penlac is on par with Jublia. Luckily, it is also available in a lower-cost generic form for around $18 per 15 grams.

Like Jublia, generic ciclopirox is an antifungal medication. Differently, it can be used for fungal infections in the toenails as well as ringworms of the body, foot, or groin, sun fungus, and candida infections. Ciclopirox shampoos are also available for dandruff.

Ciclopirox and Jublia are also similar in their formats. Both prescription medications are available in topical forms. However, many patients prefer Jublia’s alcohol-based formulation to ciclopirox, which is an oil-based ointment.

Unfortunately, Jublia may be up to three times more effective as a nail fungus treatment than medications containing ciclopirox. Patients must weigh ciclopirox’s less robust effects against its cost when comparing it to Jublia.

Terbinafine

Terbinafine is the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Lamisil. Lamisil costs around $304 for a 14-day supply. Generic terbinafine is also available for only around $22 for a 20-day supply.

Terbinafine and Jublia are both antifungal medications. However, generic terbinafine and Lamisil have more uses. Doctors also prescribe terbinafine for candidiasis in the skin, ringworms of the body, foot, or groin, and onychomycosis of the fingernails.

The biggest difference between terbinafine and Jublia is that generic terbinafine and Lamisil are both available in oral and cream formats. People who do not prefer to or cannot take oral medicines may prefer Jublia since it is a topical drug.

Another important distinction is that people with liver disease, neutropenia, depression, lupus, and immunosuppressive disorders cannot use terbinafine. Jublia has no known disease interactions.

Over-the-Counter Jublia Alternatives

Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal products will not be as effective as Jublia or the Jublia alternatives we mentioned above. However, they may be helpful temporarily while you save up for your prescription.

The following OTC products can treat onychomycosis around your toenail bed, though they will not treat fungus inside the nail.

Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole is an antifungal cream sold under the brand name FungiCure Intensive. You can also buy it over the counter in a slightly more affordable generic version.

This OTC product can treat a variety of fungal infections in the skin, including onychomycosis, yeast infections, athlete’s foot, and more.

Tolnaftate

Tolnaftate is an antifungal liquid sold under the brand names Fungi-Nail and Opti-Nail. It is also available as a powder to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and more.

This product is available as a pen or in a nail lacquer. You can also find a more affordable generic version at most drugstores.

Undecylenic Acid

Undecylenic acid is an antifungal product traditionally used to treat ringworm. It is also effective for treating onychomycosis infections on the skin around the nails or toenails.

You can find undecylenic acid available as a generic and under a variety of brand names in cream and liquid formats.

Save on Jublia and Jublia Alternatives

Jublia is the best nail fungus remedy available. However, this prescription is extremely expensive in the US. Consider one of the prescription and over-the-counter alternatives in this guide instead.

Are you struggling to afford Jublia or a Jublia alternative? Canadian Pharmacy Online can help you save hundreds of dollars on your prescriptions. We connect you with lower-cost Canadian pharmacies to access discounts you can’t find in the States.

Learn how to order from Canadian Pharmacy Online and start saving today!