Tavaborole, sold under the brand name Kerydin, is a topical antifungal medication for the treatment of onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed with a complete clearance rate of 6-7% and partial clearance rate of 23-24% in individuals whose “infection border does not reach the cuticle at the base of the large toenail.”[1] Tavaborole was approved by the US FDA in July 2014.

In clinical trials, tavaborole was more effective than the vehicle (ethyl acetate and propylene glycol) alone in curing onychomycosis.

[3] Tavaborole, when prepared with a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and propylene glycol, has the ability to fully penetrate through the human nail.

[citation needed] In studies with cadaver fingernails, a 5% solution of tavaborole penetrated the nail an average of 524.7 mcg/cm2 after two weeks of daily use.

[1] Tavaborole began phase III clinical trials in December 2010[4] and was approved by the US FDA in July 2014.