Amorolfine Medicated Nail Lacquer 5% – 5ml
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Overview
Amorolfine Medicated Nail Lacquer 5% w/v is a licensed Pharmacy (P) medicine for the treatment of fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) affecting the toenails and fingernails. It contains amorolfine — a morpholine antifungal agent with a broad spectrum of activity against the dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds that are responsible for the discoloration, thickening, crumbling, and separation from the nail bed that characterise a fungal nail infection. As a lacquer formulation, it is applied directly to the affected nails and their immediate surroundings, where it forms a film that releases the antifungal active into the nail plate over the application interval.
Fungal nail infections are the most common nail condition in the UK, affecting approximately one in three people at some point in their lives. They are caused by the same group of fungi responsible for athlete's foot — most commonly Trichophyton rubrum — which invade the nail plate and establish a chronic infection that requires sustained antifungal treatment to resolve. Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer is one of the most widely used and clinically validated topical treatments for mild to moderate fungal nail infections, with good evidence of efficacy for infections affecting the distal and lateral portions of the nail where the infection has not reached the nail matrix.
As a P medicine, this product is available without prescription but requires purchase through a pharmacy. Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacy team can confirm suitability and provide guidance on correct use, treatment duration, and when to refer to a GP as part of our nail care pharmacy service.
What It Does
- Treats fungal nail infections caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds through the antifungal action of amorolfine 5% w/v delivered directly to the nail plate in a sustained-release lacquer vehicle
- Amorolfine's morpholine mechanism inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis in the fungal cell membrane — a mechanism distinct from azole antifungals, reducing cross-resistance concerns
- The lacquer film formed on the nail releases the active ingredient into the nail plate between applications, providing sustained antifungal activity with once or twice weekly dosing
- Progressive treatment over several months addresses the infection as the nail grows, replacing infected nail tissue with new, healthy nail from the base
- Appropriate for mild to moderate fungal nail infections affecting the distal and lateral nail where the nail matrix is not involved
How to Use Amorolfine 5% Nail Lacquer
Always read the patient information leaflet before use. Follow the dosage instructions provided or as directed by your pharmacist or GP. The following is general guidance — the product leaflet is the definitive reference for use.
- Frequency: Apply once or twice weekly to affected nails as directed in the product leaflet and by your pharmacist.
- Prepare the nail: Before each application, file down any thickened or loose nail material using the nail file provided. Remove all traces of the previous lacquer application using the nail cleansing swabs provided. Do not use nail polish remover containing acetone on treated nails — use only the provided swabs.
- Apply the lacquer: Dip the applicator spatula into the lacquer and apply an even coat to the entire surface of each affected nail, including the nail edges. Avoid skin contact as far as possible.
- Allow to dry: Allow the lacquer to dry for approximately three to five minutes before wearing footwear or gloves.
- Seal the bottle: Reseal the bottle immediately after each use — the solvent vehicle evaporates quickly, affecting the lacquer's viscosity and delivery.
- Treatment duration: Treatment must be continued until the infected nail has been completely replaced by healthy new nail growth. This typically takes six months for fingernails and nine to twelve months for toenails. Do not discontinue treatment prematurely — premature discontinuation is the most common cause of treatment failure and relapse.
- Nail hygiene: Maintain thorough nail hygiene throughout treatment — keep nails short and clean, dry feet thoroughly after bathing, and treat athlete's foot simultaneously if present (athlete's foot is a frequent source of re-infection of the nail).
Who Is Amorolfine 5% Nail Lacquer Suitable For?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Indication | Mild to moderate fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) of the toenails or fingernails where the nail matrix is not involved. Adults and children aged 12 and over — confirm from current product information. |
| Not Suitable For | Known hypersensitivity to amorolfine or any excipient. Not for use during pregnancy without medical advice. Not for infections involving the nail matrix (base of nail) — these require systemic antifungal treatment rather than topical lacquer alone. Not for children under 12 without medical supervision. |
| Seek GP Advice Before Use | Those with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease — nail infections in these groups carry higher complication risk and may require prescription management. Immunocompromised individuals. Infections affecting more than half of each nail. Infections of more than two nails. Infections not responding after six months of treatment. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Seek pharmacist or GP advice before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding — systemic absorption from amorolfine nail lacquer is low but medical guidance is appropriate. |
Good to Know
- Pharmacy (P) Medicine: Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer is a Pharmacy medicine — available without a prescription but only through a pharmacy. Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacists can confirm this product is appropriate for your situation before purchase.
- Treatment Duration is Critical: Treatment must continue until the nail is fully replaced by healthy growth — six months for fingernails, nine to twelve months for toenails. Stopping early is the most common cause of treatment failure. Patience and consistency are essential.
- Treat Athlete's Foot Simultaneously: Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a frequent source of re-infection of the toenail. If athlete's foot is present alongside a fungal nail infection, treating both simultaneously significantly improves outcomes and reduces relapse risk.
- Nail Hygiene: Keep affected nails short, dry feet thoroughly after bathing, use clean socks daily, and avoid sharing nail files or clippers with others throughout treatment.
- When to See a GP: If nails do not improve after three months of consistent use, if the infection involves the nail base, if you have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, or if you are immunocompromised — GP assessment is required for appropriate management.
- For External Use Only: Apply to nails only. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children.
Overview
Amorolfine Medicated Nail Lacquer 5% w/v is a licensed Pharmacy (P) medicine for the treatment of fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) affecting the toenails and fingernails. It contains amorolfine — a morpholine antifungal agent with a broad spectrum of activity against the dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds that are responsible for the discoloration, thickening, crumbling, and separation from the nail bed that characterise a fungal nail infection. As a lacquer formulation, it is applied directly to the affected nails and their immediate surroundings, where it forms a film that releases the antifungal active into the nail plate over the application interval.
Fungal nail infections are the most common nail condition in the UK, affecting approximately one in three people at some point in their lives. They are caused by the same group of fungi responsible for athlete's foot — most commonly Trichophyton rubrum — which invade the nail plate and establish a chronic infection that requires sustained antifungal treatment to resolve. Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer is one of the most widely used and clinically validated topical treatments for mild to moderate fungal nail infections, with good evidence of efficacy for infections affecting the distal and lateral portions of the nail where the infection has not reached the nail matrix.
As a P medicine, this product is available without prescription but requires purchase through a pharmacy. Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacy team can confirm suitability and provide guidance on correct use, treatment duration, and when to refer to a GP as part of our nail care pharmacy service.
What It Does
- Treats fungal nail infections caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds through the antifungal action of amorolfine 5% w/v delivered directly to the nail plate in a sustained-release lacquer vehicle
- Amorolfine's morpholine mechanism inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis in the fungal cell membrane — a mechanism distinct from azole antifungals, reducing cross-resistance concerns
- The lacquer film formed on the nail releases the active ingredient into the nail plate between applications, providing sustained antifungal activity with once or twice weekly dosing
- Progressive treatment over several months addresses the infection as the nail grows, replacing infected nail tissue with new, healthy nail from the base
- Appropriate for mild to moderate fungal nail infections affecting the distal and lateral nail where the nail matrix is not involved
How to Use Amorolfine 5% Nail Lacquer
Always read the patient information leaflet before use. Follow the dosage instructions provided or as directed by your pharmacist or GP. The following is general guidance — the product leaflet is the definitive reference for use.
- Frequency: Apply once or twice weekly to affected nails as directed in the product leaflet and by your pharmacist.
- Prepare the nail: Before each application, file down any thickened or loose nail material using the nail file provided. Remove all traces of the previous lacquer application using the nail cleansing swabs provided. Do not use nail polish remover containing acetone on treated nails — use only the provided swabs.
- Apply the lacquer: Dip the applicator spatula into the lacquer and apply an even coat to the entire surface of each affected nail, including the nail edges. Avoid skin contact as far as possible.
- Allow to dry: Allow the lacquer to dry for approximately three to five minutes before wearing footwear or gloves.
- Seal the bottle: Reseal the bottle immediately after each use — the solvent vehicle evaporates quickly, affecting the lacquer's viscosity and delivery.
- Treatment duration: Treatment must be continued until the infected nail has been completely replaced by healthy new nail growth. This typically takes six months for fingernails and nine to twelve months for toenails. Do not discontinue treatment prematurely — premature discontinuation is the most common cause of treatment failure and relapse.
- Nail hygiene: Maintain thorough nail hygiene throughout treatment — keep nails short and clean, dry feet thoroughly after bathing, and treat athlete's foot simultaneously if present (athlete's foot is a frequent source of re-infection of the nail).
Who Is Amorolfine 5% Nail Lacquer Suitable For?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Indication | Mild to moderate fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) of the toenails or fingernails where the nail matrix is not involved. Adults and children aged 12 and over — confirm from current product information. |
| Not Suitable For | Known hypersensitivity to amorolfine or any excipient. Not for use during pregnancy without medical advice. Not for infections involving the nail matrix (base of nail) — these require systemic antifungal treatment rather than topical lacquer alone. Not for children under 12 without medical supervision. |
| Seek GP Advice Before Use | Those with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease — nail infections in these groups carry higher complication risk and may require prescription management. Immunocompromised individuals. Infections affecting more than half of each nail. Infections of more than two nails. Infections not responding after six months of treatment. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Seek pharmacist or GP advice before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding — systemic absorption from amorolfine nail lacquer is low but medical guidance is appropriate. |
Good to Know
- Pharmacy (P) Medicine: Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer is a Pharmacy medicine — available without a prescription but only through a pharmacy. Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacists can confirm this product is appropriate for your situation before purchase.
- Treatment Duration is Critical: Treatment must continue until the nail is fully replaced by healthy growth — six months for fingernails, nine to twelve months for toenails. Stopping early is the most common cause of treatment failure. Patience and consistency are essential.
- Treat Athlete's Foot Simultaneously: Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a frequent source of re-infection of the toenail. If athlete's foot is present alongside a fungal nail infection, treating both simultaneously significantly improves outcomes and reduces relapse risk.
- Nail Hygiene: Keep affected nails short, dry feet thoroughly after bathing, use clean socks daily, and avoid sharing nail files or clippers with others throughout treatment.
- When to See a GP: If nails do not improve after three months of consistent use, if the infection involves the nail base, if you have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, or if you are immunocompromised — GP assessment is required for appropriate management.
- For External Use Only: Apply to nails only. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infections typically present with one or more of the following: yellowing, browning, or whitening of the nail colour; thickening of the nail plate; crumbling, brittle, or distorted nail texture; separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis); and in some cases, debris accumulating under the nail. The infection usually begins at the distal (free) edge of the nail and progresses toward the base. If you are unsure whether your nail change is fungal in origin, please speak with our pharmacy team or your GP before starting treatment — nail changes can have non-fungal causes that require different management.
How long will treatment take?
The full treatment course is typically six months for fingernails and nine to twelve months for toenails — the time required for the infected nail to be completely replaced by new, healthy nail growth from the base. Amorolfine kills the fungus in the nail, but the visual result only becomes apparent as the healthy new nail grows forward and the infected nail grows out. Improvement is gradual — most people notice the healthy nail growing from the base after two to three months. The temptation to stop treatment when the nail looks mostly better is the most common cause of relapse — the full course must be completed.
Why must I use the provided nail file and cleansing swabs rather than my own?
The nail file removes thickened nail material to allow better penetration of the lacquer into the nail plate — this step meaningfully improves treatment efficacy. The provided cleansing swabs contain the specific solvent needed to remove the previous lacquer layer completely without damaging the nail. Acetone-based nail polish remover disrupts the nail plate and is incompatible with amorolfine nail lacquer — the dedicated swabs must be used. Using a personal nail file for treated nails risks spreading the fungal infection to other nails — discard the file or disinfect it after each use.
Can I wear nail polish over amorolfine lacquer?
No — nail polish should not be applied over amorolfine nail lacquer. The cosmetic nail polish creates a barrier that prevents the amorolfine from releasing into the nail plate as intended, significantly reducing the efficacy of the treatment. During treatment, affected nails should not have cosmetic nail polish applied. Once treatment is complete and the healthy nail has grown through, normal nail polish use can resume.
Is this the same as prescription amorolfine?
Yes — the active ingredient and concentration (amorolfine 5% w/v) are the same whether the product is obtained as a Pharmacy medicine or on prescription. The clinical efficacy is identical. The P medicine classification simply means it is available to purchase from a pharmacist without a prescription — which is appropriate for mild to moderate fungal nail infections in healthy adults who have been assessed by a pharmacist as suitable for self-treatment. For more complex cases, your GP can prescribe the same treatment or, for severe or systemic infections, oral antifungal tablets.
I have diabetes and a fungal nail infection. Can I use this product?
People with diabetes require particular care with nail and foot conditions due to the increased risk of complications. We strongly recommend discussing any nail infection with your GP or diabetes care team before starting over-the-counter nail lacquer treatment. Diabetic foot care is a specialist area and nail infections in those with diabetes should be assessed medically rather than self-treated without professional guidance. Pearl Chemist Group's pharmacy team can advise further and refer you appropriately.
Can I prevent a fungal nail infection from coming back after treatment?
Yes — prevention measures after successful treatment significantly reduce the risk of recurrence. Key steps include: treating any co-existing athlete's foot with appropriate antifungal cream; keeping feet clean and thoroughly dry, particularly between the toes; wearing moisture-wicking socks and changing them daily; wearing flip-flops in communal changing rooms, showers, and pool areas; not sharing nail files, clippers, or footwear; and treating the inside of footwear with an antifungal powder or spray, particularly old shoes worn during the infection. Please ask our pharmacy team for a complete prevention plan after completing your course of treatment.