###### Abstract  
Ciclopirox (CPX) and its ethanolamine salt, ciclopirox olamine (CPO), are synthetic hydroxypyridone derivatives with a wide range of antimicrobial activity, making them valuable in dermatology for treating fungal infections. Their mechanism of action is multifaceted, impacting iron-dependent enzymes and disrupting mitochondrial function, cellular energy production, and membrane integrity. The compounds' favorable physicochemical properties allow effective skin absorption, while the olamine salt enhances solubility and bioavailability. Research is ongoing to explore therapeutic uses beyond dermatology, including applications in autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. In cosmetics, ciclopirox is used primarily in anti-dandruff and skincare products, combining therapeutic effects with minimal side effects. ciclopirox; ciclopirox olamine; CPX; CPO; antifungal; dandruff; dermatology +
Footnote †: journal: Applied sciences  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
**[PERSON] 1,*, [PERSON] 1,2, [PERSON] 3 and [PERSON] 1\(\copyright\)**  
**Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential**  
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development of drug resistance, even after their prolonged use over decades, which implies that the molecular targets of this drug are essential for fungal survival [6]. This stands in strong contrast to azide drugs, where a growing number of strains exhibit resistance [7]. In combination with currently used antifungal drugs, such as AMB (amphotericin B) and FLC (fluconazole), ciclopirox derivatives demonstrate additive effects and synergism with many inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) [3]. While ciclopirox olamine remains the primary and most studied salt, pirotone olamine (1-hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl))pyridin-2-one and ethanolamine) is another related antifungal compound with dermatological applications. Despite structural similarities, it is important to note that pirotone olamine differs from ciclopirox olamine in both chemical structure and therapeutic indications. While ciclopirox olamine is more broadly used for the treatment of a variety of superficial fungal infections, pirotone olamine's primary use focuses on the management of scalp- and hair-related disorders [8]. In addition to its well-established role as an antifungal agent, CPX has demonstrated potential in various other fields. Its potential applications in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders are currently under investigation in ongoing research [1]. For instance, since CPX decreased the viability of primary AML cells and hindered the engraftment of these cells in NOD/SCID mouse models, it suggests a cytotoxic effect on leukemia stem cells might exist.