Side-by-side facts
Athlete's Foot Antifungals: Actives, Forms & Label Directions
Side-by-side comparison of common OTC athlete's-foot antifungals by active ingredient, concentration, cream vs powder spray, labeled use, directions, age limits and warnings.
Key differences
These products are not interchangeable just because they sit in the same athlete's-foot aisle. The most useful differences are the active ingredient, the exact foot location covered by the label, cream versus powder-spray vehicle, treatment directions and safety warnings.
| Comparison point | Lamisil AT Cream | Lotrimin Clotrimazole Cream 1% | Lotrimin Ultra Butenafine Hydrochloride Cream 1% | Tinactin Tolnaftate Cream 1% | Lotrimin AF Miconazole Nitrate Powder Spray 2% | Tinactin Tolnaftate Powder Spray 1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredientCompare the drug first, not just the brand name. | Terbinafine hydrochlorideSource | ClotrimazoleSource | Butenafine hydrochlorideSource | TolnaftateSource | Miconazole nitrateSource | TolnaftateSource |
| ConcentrationPercentage is useful context, but different drugs are not directly ranked by percentage. | 1%Source | 1%Source | 1%Source | 1%Source | 2%Source | 1%Source |
| Form / vehicleCream and powder spray differ in application and safety handling. | CreamSource | CreamSource | CreamSource | CreamSource | Talc-free aerosol powder spraySource | Aerosol powder spraySource |
| Labeled usesCheck that the product label matches the infection and body site you are treating. | Most athlete's foot, jock itch and ringwormSource | Most athlete's foot, jock itch and ringwormSource | Most athlete's foot between the toes; label states effectiveness on bottom or sides of foot is unknownSource | Most athlete's foot and ringworm; helps prevent most athlete's foot with daily useSource | Most athlete's foot; relieves itching, burning, cracking and scalingSource | Most athlete's foot and ringworm; helps prevent most athlete's foot with daily useSource |
| Directions / courseFrequency and duration can differ materially by active and infection location. | Age 12+: athlete's foot between toes twice daily for 1 week; bottom/sides of foot twice daily for 2 weeks; jock itch/ringworm once daily for 1 weekSource | Ask a doctor if no improvement within 4 weeks for athlete's foot/ringworm or 2 weeks for jock itchSource | Age 12+: between toes twice daily for 1 week or once daily for 4 weeksSource | Apply a thin layer twice daily after washing and drying; seek care if no improvement within 4 weeksSource | Comparable value not available | Wash and dry area; spray thin layer twice daily; ask a doctor if no improvement within 4 weeksSource |
| Age labelOTC age boundaries differ by product. | 12 years and older; under 12 ask a doctorSource | Do not use under age 2 unless directed by a doctorSource | 12 years and older; under 12 ask a doctorSource | Do not use under age 2 except under doctor advice and supervisionSource | Comparable value not available | Comparable value not available |
| Important warningsIncludes body-site exclusions and aerosol-specific safety where applicable. | External use only; do not use on nails or scalp, in/near mouth or eyes, or for vaginal yeast infectionsSource | External use only; avoid eye contact; stop and ask a doctor if irritation occursSource | Do not use on nails or scalp, in/near mouth or eyes, or for vaginal yeast infectionsSource | External use only; avoid eye contact; stop and ask a doctor if irritation occursSource | External use only; aerosol/pressurized and flammable; avoid eyes and use only as directedSource | External use only; flammable pressurized aerosol; avoid eyes; intentional concentrated inhalation can be harmful or fatalSource |
| Research statusWhether the record is desk-researched, hands-on tested or lab measured | Desk researched | Desk researched | Desk researched | Desk researched | Desk researched | Desk researched |
| Last checked | 2026-08-11 | 2026-08-11 | 2026-08-11 | 2026-08-11 | 2026-08-11 | 2026-08-11 |
Product labels can change; follow the current package. When a comparable field is missing, the table says so rather than substituting a differently defined number.
Compare foot location, active ingredient, vehicle and course
Where on the foot is the infection?
Labels differ by body site. The current cited Lotrimin Ultra butenafine label is framed around athlete’s foot between the toes and states that effectiveness on the bottom or sides of the foot is unknown. The cited Lamisil AT cream label gives separate directions for infection between the toes versus the bottom and sides of the foot. Match the product to the location named on its label.
Which active ingredient are you comparing?
The products above span terbinafine, clotrimazole, butenafine, miconazole and tolnaftate. Do not compare the percentage number as if these were the same drug at different strengths. A 2% miconazole product is not automatically “stronger” than a 1% terbinafine, butenafine or tolnaftate product.
Use the active ingredient to understand what product you are actually buying, then use the label directions for that exact product.
Cream or powder spray?
A cream puts the medication directly onto the skin and may be easier to work into a defined patch. A powder spray can be convenient for feet and hard-to-reach areas, but aerosol products add important handling warnings such as flammability and pressurized-container precautions.
Vehicle changes application and, for aerosols, adds flammability and pressurized-container precautions.
How long is the labeled course?
Directions differ substantially. Some terbinafine or butenafine regimens use shorter labeled courses for specific athlete’s-foot patterns, while other products instruct longer treatment periods. Follow the Drug Facts label on the package you buy rather than transferring directions from another active ingredient or another formulation from the same brand.
What the table cannot decide
Product specifications cannot confirm that a rash is tinea pedis. Location, formulation, age restrictions, warning profile, ability to use the product as directed and prior treatment response all affect the choice.
For the disease-level pathway, return to the Athlete’s Foot guide. For how these actives differ across fungal infections, see Antifungal Active Ingredients Explained. If the nail is involved, use the separate Nail Fungus guide rather than assuming a skin product is a nail treatment.
Source trail
Primary documents and supporting evidence
- LAMISIL AT CREAM - terbinafine hydrochloride creamDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- LOTRIMIN - clotrimazole creamDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- LOTRIMIN ULTRA - butenafine hydrochloride creamDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- TINACTIN - tolnaftate creamDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- LOTRIMIN AF - miconazole nitrate aerosol, powderDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- TINACTIN - tolnaftate aerosol, powderDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · Regulatory · retrieved 2026-08-11
- Treatment of RingwormCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · Government health · retrieved 2026-08-11
- How to prevent athlete's footAmerican Academy of Dermatology · Professional health · retrieved 2026-08-11