What is the best prescription drug for nail fungus?

Nail fungus is typically treated using oral antifungal medications, including Sporanox, which is also known as itraconazole, or Lamisil, which is also known as terbinafine, according to Mayo Clinic. These medications work by allowing an infection-free nail to grow that slowly replaces the infected nail.

Medicated nail polish is another option for treating nail fungus, reports Mayo Clinic. Penlac, or ciclopirox, is painted on the affected nails and the skin surrounding them once daily. It can take up to a year for this type of medication to clear the infection.

A third option is medicated nail cream, notes Mayo Clinic. This type of cream is an antifungal cream that is applied topically to the nails.