Medically reviewed by Chris Schwerdt. Last updated on June 23, 2025
DESENEX®
Novartis Consumer Health
Undecylenic Acid – Zinc Undecylenate
Antifungal
Action And Clinical Pharmacology: Undecylenic acid is an antifungal agent, effective in the treatment of superficial fungal infections of the skin, such as tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), tinea cruris (jock itch) and tina corporis due to T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and E. flocossum, exclusive of nails and hair area. tag_IndicationsIndications
Indications And Clinical Uses: For the treatment and prevention of superficial fungus infections of the skin, primarily tinea pedis (athlete’s foot). Relieves itching, burning and irritation.
Contra-Indications: Hypersensitivity to any of the components.
Precautions: For external use only. If symptoms do not improve in 2 to 4 weeks or skin irritation occurs, a physician should be consulted. Do not use on children under 2 years of age, except under direction of a physician. Avoid inhaling, and contact with eyes or mucous membranes. Patients with impaired circulation including diabetes should consult a physician before use.
Dosage: Cleanse affected areas with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Apply a thin layer over affected area morning and night for full treatment period of 4 weeks for athlete’s foot and 2 weeks for jock itch. For prevention of athlete’s foot, cleanse skin with soap and water, dry thoroughly and apply a thin layer to feet, once or twice daily. Pay special attention to spaces between toes. Wear well fitting ventilated shoes and cotton socks.
Availability And Storage: Foot Powder: Each container of powder contains: total undecylenate 25% from zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid. Nonmedicinal ingredients: fragrance and talc. Containers of 40 and 80 g.
Ointment: Each tube of ointment contains: total undecylenate 22.3% from zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid. Nonmedicinal ingredients: fragrance, glycolstearate, lanolin, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, petrolatum, polyethyleneglycol monostearate, polyoxyethylene laurate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, sorbitol, stearic acid, triethanolamine and water. Tubes of 30 g.
Spray-on Powder: Each aerosol of spray-on powder contains: total undecylenate 19% from zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid. Nonmedicinal ingredients: fragrance, isopropyl myristate, menthol, talc, triethanolamine and isobutane (propellant). Aerosols of 75 g.
DESENEX® Novartis Consumer Health Undecylenic Acid – Zinc Undecylenate Antifungal
About Chris Schwerdt