Subunguicide, and method for treating onychomycosis

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed and is difficult to treat topically because penetration of the nail plate is difficult, and systemic antifungal treatments are prone to side effects and drug interactions. The present invention treats onychomycosis by applying an antifungal composition to the nail bed directly using a solid, semi-solid, or flowable carrier. The carrier can be in the form of a semi-solid into which the user digs and scrapes the nail, a solid carrier can be inserted directly under the nail in contact with the nail bed, or a flowable composition can be injected in contact with the nail bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating onychomycosis, comprising:
 administering subungually a composition comprising an antifungal agent and a carrier, said administering subungually achieved by inserting the composition between the hyponychium and the nail plate and past the hyponychium for contact with the nail bed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is placed between the nail plate and the nail bed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a solid or a semi-solid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is provided as a flowable composition selected from gels, creams, lotions, solutions, and suspensions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said administering comprises inserting the composition using an applicator having a reservoir for holding an amount of the composition and a tube through which the composition is dispensed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering comprises inserting the composition using an applicator having a hypodermic needle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising co-administering a systemic antifungal agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a flowable composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a solid composition or a semi-solid composition. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administering comprises inserting the composition using an applicator having a hypodermic needle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antifungal agent is terbinafine hydrochloride or terbinafine free base. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is a polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating onychomycosis, comprising:
 administering subungually a flowable, semi-solid or solid composition comprised of an antifungal agent in a carrier.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the antifungal agent is terbinafine hydrochloride or terbinafine free base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the carrier is a polymer.