The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a new version of a ringworm drug that is designed for children four years old and up. It can easily be slipped into the meals of tiny tots with a bit of help from their parents.

The medication, manufactured by Novartis, comes in crumb-size granules. It is specifically approved to treat tinea capitis or ringworm, a scalp fungus that typically affects children. Ringworm can cause severe itching, dandruff and bald patches. It is a persistent and contagious fungal infection that usually does not respond to topical treatment.

"A parent's ability to sprinkle it on the food of a child, who may not like to take medicine, should go a long way to helping ensure the infection is properly treated , as well as to limit its spread," Steven Galson, director of FDA's drug center was quoted.

FDA had requested Novartis to develop a version of Lamisil known generically as terbinafine hydrochloride, which is palatable to children.

Under federal law, FDA can award exclusive marketing rights to companies that develop drugs especially for use in children.

Source-Medindia
ANN/C