Each gram contains : Ketoconazole IP 20 mg, Iodochlorhydroxyquinoline IP 10 mg, Tolnaftate 10 mg, Neomycin sulphate IP eq. to Neomycin 1 mg, Clobetasol Propionate IP 0.5 mg, Dexapanthanol USP 0.5% w/w Cream BaseTenobet-K6

How Tenobet-K6 works

This is a combination, and each component handles a different part of the problem. Ketoconazole blocks the fungal enzyme lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase, which the fungus needs to build ergosterol for its cell membrane. Without ergosterol the membrane becomes leaky and the cell cannot survive. Human cells use cholesterol instead of ergosterol, which is what keeps the action confined to the fungus. Tolnaftate distorts the growing tips of the fungal filaments so the colony cannot extend. It is effective against dermatophytes specifically, and is long established for tinea of the feet and body. Iodochlorhydroxyquinoline is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that also chelates the metal ions bacteria and fungi need for their enzymes to work. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside that binds the bacterial ribosome and causes the organism to build faulty proteins. It is included to cover the bacterial infection that often sits on top of inflamed or fungal skin. Clobetasol propionate is a super-potent topical corticosteroid. It enters the skin cell, binds the glucocorticoid receptor and switches off the genes producing inflammatory mediators, so redness, thickening and itch subside quickly. Potency of this order is reserved for thick, resistant plaques and for short courses, because prolonged use thins the skin. Infected, inflamed skin rarely has a single cause, which is why these are formulated together rather than applied one after another.