Econazole nitrate is a chemical compound, an econazole derivative that was, synthesised in 1969 and placed on the commercial market in the 1970s.

It appears as an odourless whitish crystalline powder with low solubility in water. Stable, incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

What it is used for and where

Medical

Take only under medical supervision

Econazole nitrate is a topical antifungal and bactericidal agent with an antibacterial action that inhibits the biosynthesis of sterols such as ergosterol that regulate fungal cell wall permeability. It also interrupts the oxidative and peroxidative process of fungal enzymes that create cell necrosis.

An antifungal agent that has shown a broad spectrum of activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus and Staphylococcus, commonly used to treat general fungal infections, fungal infections of the skin, such as 

• dermatophytic infection of athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) localised in the interdigital spaces of the toes, caused by the fungi Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes  
• tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor (mycosis) caused by the mycete Malassezia furfur, ringworm, 
• itchy socks 

and other infections caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria, filamentous fungi (Rhizopus spp), yeasts and moulds. In the spray dosage form, econazole is added in 1%, dissolved in ethanol (25%) and isopropyl alcohol (5%), but excipients may be different and in lower percentages. For example, propylene glycol is added in concentrations ranging from 5% to 10% (1).

This study analysed the properties of Econazole in laboratory animals, found that Econazole significantly suppressed the growth of lung cancer cells and concluded that Econazole could be used in the treatment of lung cancer alone or in combination with cisplatin (2).

Another interesting application of Econazole nitrate could prove to be ultrasound-assisted transdermal administration as a new therapy for Raynaud's phenomenon, which is an abnormal spasm of blood vessels that causes tingling, cyanosis and most frequently affects the hands (3).

Onychomycosis is a common nail disease that can increase with age and predisposing factors are abnormalities in foot development, impaired blood flow. the main aetiological agent is the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, while the second pathogen is Тrichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale. Econazole nitrate, as a systemic antimycotic, is able to eradicate both pathogenic fungi by enhancing the antifungal effect and reducing the likelihood of secondary bacterial infection.

Like all drugs it can cause side effects. Always ask the physician.

Safety datasheet

Econazole nitrate studies

Price

• 5 g      €66.00
• 25 g    €246.00
• 100 g  €644.00

Appearance	Off white powder
Melting Point	158 - 166°C
PSA	93.10000
LogP	5.97690
Solubility	1 mM   2.2487 mL   11.2435 mL   22.4871 mL 5 mM   0.4497 mL   2.2487 mL   4.4974 mL 10 mM   0.2249 mL   1.1244 mL   2.2487 mL
Storage	Powder    -20°C  3 years or  4°C  2 years As solvent    -80°C    6 months or  -20°C    1 month
Safety

• Molecular Formula     C₁₈H₁₆Cl₃N₃O₄  o    C₁₈H₁₅Cl₃N₂O.HNO₃
• Molecular Weight     444.7
• Exact Mass     443.02100
• CAS    24169-02-6     68797-31-9
• UNII    H438WYN10E
• EC Number   246-053-5     272-295-6
• DSSTox Substance ID  DTXSID6025226
• IUPAC  1-[2-[(4-chlorophenyl)methoxy]-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]imidazole;nitric acid
• InChI=1S/C18H15Cl3N2O.HNO3/c19-14-3-1-13(2-4-14)11-24-18(10-23-8-7-22-12-23)16-6-5-15(20)9-17(16)21;2-1(3)4/h1-9,12,18H,10-11H2;(H,2,3,4)
• InChl Key      DDXORDQKGIZAME-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES   C1=CC(=CC=C1COC(CN2C=CN=C2)C3=C(C=C(C=C3)Cl)Cl)Cl.[N+](=O)(O)[O-]
• MDL number  MFCD00058160
• PubChem Substance ID    24894567
• CHEMBL1201049
• SMR000058732  
• HS code     2933290090
• NSC   757882     243115
• RTECS    NI4450000
• NACRES NA.85

Synonyms

• 1-(2-[(4-Chlorophenyl)methoxy]-2-[2,4-dichlorophenyl]ethyl)-1H-imidazole
• 1-{2,4-Dichloro-β-[(p-chlorobenzyl)oxy}phenethyl]imidazole mononitrate

References_______________________________________________________________________

(1) Kapadia MM, Solanki ST, Parmar V, Thosar MM, Pancholi SS. Preliminary investigation tests of novel antifungal topical aerosol. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2012 Mar;4(Suppl 1):S74-6. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.94145.

(2) Dong C, Yang R, Li H, Ke K, Luo C, Yang F, Shi XN, Zhu Y, Liu X, Wong MH, Lin G, Wang X, Leung KS, Kung HF, Chen C, Lin MC. Econazole nitrate inhibits PI3K activity and promotes apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 21;7(1):17987. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18178-0. 

(3) Daftardar S, Bahl D, Boddu SHS, Altorok N, Kahaleh B. Ultrasound-mediated topical delivery of econazole nitrate with potential for treating Raynaud's phenomenon. Int J Pharm. 2020 Apr 30;580:119229. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119229.