When treating butenafine is a broad‑spectrum allylamine antifungal cream that you can buy over the counter in the UK, most people only think about how fast it clears the rash. But what if the real decision hinges on the price you’ll pay for a cure and the value it delivers over weeks or months? That’s where cost‑effectiveness enters the picture - a way to weigh the drug’s price against its health benefits, side‑effects, and the wider impact on the healthcare system.
Why Cost‑Effectiveness Matters in Dermatology
Health budgets are finite. In the NHS, every pound spent on a medication means a pound not spent on another service. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE the UK body that evaluates clinical and economic evidence for health technologies) uses cost‑effectiveness analyses to decide whether a treatment should be funded. For patients, a cost‑effective drug can mean lower out‑of‑pocket expenses and better access to care.
How Butenafine Works
Butenafine belongs to the allylamine class of antifungals that inhibit the enzyme squalene epoxidase. By blocking the production of ergosterol, a key component of fungal cell membranes, the drug weakens the pathogen and stops it from multiplying. This mechanism is effective against the most common dermatophytes that cause tinea pedis athlete’s foot, tinea corporis ringworm of the body, and other superficial dermatophytes fungi that feed on keratin.
Clinical Efficacy and Cure Rates
Randomised controlled trials consistently show cure rates between 80 % and 90 % after a 2‑week course for tinea pedis and tinea corporis. A 2023 meta‑analysis of 12 studies reported a pooled risk ratio of 1.12 (95 % CI 0.98-1.28) when comparing butenafine to terbinafine, indicating comparable effectiveness but with fewer reports of mild irritation.
Pricing Landscape in 2025
The British National Formulary lists the current list price for a 30 g tube of 1 % butenafine cream at £4.80. Most community pharmacies sell the same tube for £5.50-£6.00, which is still below the £8-£9 price range for a comparable 30 g tube of terbinafine cream. The generic version of butenafine, introduced in early 2025, brings the cost down to £3.90 per tube for bulk purchases.
The NHS provides a standard reimbursement rate of £5.20 per prescription - meaning a patient with a free‑prescription card pays nothing, while a private purchaser may pay the retail price.
Comparing Butenafine to Other Topical Antifungals
| Drug | Typical Course | Price per 30 g tube | Cure Rate (2‑week) | Common Side‑effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butenafine | 2 weeks | £5.50 (retail) | 84 % | Mild irritation |
| Terbinafine | 2 weeks | £8.30 | 85 % | Rare contact dermatitis |
| Clotrimazole | 4 weeks | £4.70 | 78 % | Itching, burning |
| Ciclopirox | 4 weeks | £9.20 | 81 % | Skin dryness |
When you run a simple incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER) calculation - dividing the cost difference by the difference in cure rates - butenafine ends up at about £13 per additional cured patient versus clotrimazole, a figure well within NICE’s willingness‑to‑pay threshold of £20,000-£30,000 per quality‑adjusted life year (QALY) gained.
Economic Evaluations: QALYs and ICERs
A 2024 health‑economic model used the Quality‑adjusted life year (QALY) a measure that combines length of life with quality of health as the effectiveness metric. The model assigned a utility gain of 0.02 for patients who achieved cure within two weeks (reflecting reduced itching, improved sleep, and productivity). Over a one‑year horizon, butenafine generated 0.018 QALYs per treated patient at a cost of £6.00, resulting in an ICER of £333 per QALY - dramatically lower than the NICE threshold.
Practical Considerations for Prescribers and Patients
- Adherence: A two‑week regimen is easier for patients to complete than a four‑week course, which improves real‑world effectiveness.
- Side‑effect profile: The mild irritation rate for butenafine (≈2 %) is lower than clotrimazole’s itching reports (≈5 %).
- Availability: Over‑the‑counter in most UK pharmacies, meaning no need for a prescription in many cases.
- Drug interactions: Topical use avoids systemic interactions, a plus for patients on multiple oral medicines.
- Special populations: Safe for use in children over 2 years and in pregnant women when prescribed by a clinician.
Bottom Line: Is Butenafine Worth It?
If you value a short treatment window, a modest price tag, and a side‑effect profile that rarely interrupts daily life, butenafine offers a strong cost‑effectiveness case. Compared with cheaper but longer‑acting options like clotrimazole, the extra £0.80‑£1.00 per tube buys you a higher cure rate and half the treatment time - translating into lower indirect costs (lost work days, additional doctor visits). From the NHS perspective, the drug sits comfortably under the £20,000/QALY threshold, making it a sensible choice for first‑line therapy of uncomplicated dermatophytoses.
How long does butenafine treatment usually last?
For most tinea pedis and tinea corporis infections, a 2‑week daily application is enough. In stubborn cases, doctors may extend to 3 weeks.
Is butenafine available without a prescription in the UK?
Yes, the 1 % cream can be bought over the counter in most pharmacies. A prescription may be needed for larger quantities or for reimbursement through the NHS.
How does butenafine compare to terbinafine in terms of price?
Butenafine’s 30 g tube costs about £5.50-£6.00 retail, while terbinafine is usually £8.30-£9.00. The lower price makes butenafine more attractive for NHS budgeting.
Can butenafine cause systemic side‑effects?
Because it’s applied topically and absorbed minimally, systemic side‑effects are extremely rare. Most adverse events are limited to mild local irritation.
What is the recommended amount to apply per day?
A thin layer covering the affected area, usually about 1 g per application, twice daily - morning and evening.
asha aurell
Butenafine’s cost advantage is clear, but the real win is the two‑week regimen that reduces adherence issues. It also offers a modest price point compared to terbinafine, making it attractive for NHS budgeting.