Antifungal compositions for the treatment of skin and nails

Abstract

The invention concerns a composition and method for treating an ungual infection, the composition comprising an iodophor and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for treating an ungual infection, the composition comprising:
 (a) an iodophor; and   (b) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO);   wherein the composition is capable of penetrating the unguis to treat the infection.   
     
     
         2 . A composition for treating an ungual infection, the composition comprising:
 (a) elemental iodine; and   (b) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO);   wherein the composition is capable of penetrating the unguis to treat the infection.   
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the iodophor is selected from the group consisting of povidone iodine (PVP-I), iodine tincture, Lugol's solution, potassium iodide, and sodium iodide. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , where in the iodophor is PVP-I. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is substantially anhydrous. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is anhydrous. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein PVP-I is present at about 0.01% to about 10% (w/w). 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein PVP-I is present in a range selected from the group consisting of about 0.05% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.2% to about 2.5%, and about 0.5% to about 1% (w/w). 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein PVP-I is present in a range selected from the group consisting of about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 1.0%, about 1.25%, about 1.5%, about 2.0%, about 2.5%, and about 5% (w/w). 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein PVP-I is present at about 1% (w/w). 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one naturopathic substance. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of Punica Granatum Extract,  Camellia Sinensis  Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid,  Calendula Officinalis , Extract,  Glycrrhiza Glabra  Extract, Allantoin, and  Cucumis Sativus  Fruit Extract. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one antifungal agent selected from the group consisting of tolnaftate, terbinafine, undecylenic acid, clioquinol, miconazole, miconazole nitrate, clorrinazole, tioconazole, nystatin, terconazoic, butoconazole nitrate, ciclopirox olamine, econazole nitrate, triacetin, flucytosine, haloprogin, and ketoconazole. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one antifungal agent is present in an amount of about 1% to about 25% (w/w). 
     
     
         15 . A composition for treating an ungual infection, the composition comprising:
 (a) an iodophor; and   (b) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO);   wherein the composition is capable of penetrating the unguis to treat the infection, further wherein the composition does not comprise a polyglycol.   
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating an ungual infection, the composition comprising:
 (a) an iodophor; and   (b) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO);   wherein the pharmaceutical composition is capable of penetrating the unguis to treat the infection.   
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the infection is a fungal infection. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the infection is a dermatophyte infection. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating an ungual infection, comprising:
 (a) contacting at least one of an infected nail and a non-ungual tissue adjacent to a nail with a composition of  claim 1 ; and   (b) repeating the contacting step as necessary until the ungual infection has been treated.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the contacting step is conducted at least once a day. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the contacting step is conducted at least twice a day. 
     
     
         22 . A method for treating an ungual infection, comprising:
 (a) contacting at least one of an infected nail and a non-ungual tissue adjacent to a nail with a composition of  claim 1 ; and   (b) repeating the contacting step for at least four weeks.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the contacting step is repeated for at least 12 weeks. 
     
     
         24 . A method for treating onychomycosis, comprising:
 (a) contacting at least one of an infected nail and a non-ungual tissue adjacent to a nail with a composition of  claim 1 ; and   (b) repeating the contacting step for at least four weeks.   
     
     
         25 . A method for treating onychomycosis, comprising:
 (a) contacting at least one of an infected nail and a non-ungual tissue adjacent to a nail with a composition of  claim 3 ; and   (b) repeating the contacting step for at least four weeks.   
     
     
         26 . A method for treating an infection of a nail, comprising:
 (a) contacting at least one of an infected nail and a non-ungual tissue adjacent to a nail with a composition of  claim 1 ; and   (b) repeating the contacting step for at least four weeks,   wherein the infection is caused by at least one of the members selected from the group consisting of  Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, T. violaceum, Microsporum gypseum, T. tonsurans, T. soudanense, T. verrucosum , and members of  Candida  spp.,  Neoscytalidium  spp.,  Scopulariopsis  spp., and  Aspergillus  spp.