Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2016 Publisher: Janssen-Cilag Limited, 50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 4EG, UK
Pharmacotherapeutic classification: (Antiinfectives and antiseptics, excl. combinations with corticosteroids, imidazole derivatives)
ATC code: G01A F05
Econazole nitrate has no anti-inflammatory action, no effect on circulation, no central or autonomic nervous effects, no effects on respiration, no effect on α or β receptors, no anticholinergic or antiserotonergic reactions.
A broad spectrum of antimycotic activity has been demonstrated against dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds. A clinically relevant action against Gram positive bacteria has also been found.
Econazole acts by damaging fungal cell membranes. The permeability of the fungal cell is increased. Sub-cellular membranes in the cytoplasm are damaged. The site of action is most probably the unsaturated fatty acid acyl moiety of membrane phospholipids.
Econazole nitrate is poorly absorbed from the vagina and skin. If given orally, peak plasma levels occur six hours after dosing. About 90% of the absorbed dose is bound to plasma proteins. Metabolism is limited, but primarily occurs in the liver, the metabolites excreted in the urine. Five major and two minor metabolites have been identified.
Low neonatal survival and foetal toxicity was associated with high doses. In animal studies, econazole nitrate has shown no teratogenic effects but was foetotoxic in rodents at maternal subcutaneous doses of 20 mg/kg/day and at maternal oral doses of 10 mg/kg/day. The significance of this in humans is unknown. In repeat dose toxicity studies in rats, at high subcutaneous doses (50 mg/kg/day, 300 mg/m²/day) the liver was identified as a target organ with minimal toxicity and full recovery. The human to animal safety margin for liver toxicity (based on Human Equivalent Dose taking into account normalisation of body surface area) is 32 to 126x for a 50 to 70 kg human based on 2.5 to 7% absorption in humans and 83% bioavailability in rats. No significant topical toxicity, phototoxicity, local dermal irritation, vaginal irritation or sensitization was noted. Only mild ocular irritation was noted with a cream formulation.
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