Is there a generic for Jublia?

In this article:

• Does Jublia have a generic?
• What does "generic" mean
• Jublia active ingredient
• Alternatives
• When might generic Jublia be available?

In this article

• Does Jublia have a generic?
• What does "generic" mean
• Jublia active ingredient
• Alternatives
• When might generic Jublia be available?

Jublia (efinaconazole) is an FDA-approved prescription medication for toenail fungus (onychomycosis). It is a topical antifungal that is applied with a brush applicator to the affected toenails and skin for at least 48 weeks. Unfortunately, Jublia is very expensive and not available in a generic form. 

Here’s what you need to know about generic Jublia, what “generic” really means for medications, and which alternative treatments for toenail fungus to discuss with your healthcare provider. 

Does Jublia have a generic?

No, Jublia is not yet available in generic form. “An FDA-approved generic version of efinaconazole exists, but it isn’t on U.S. pharmacy shelves yet because of ongoing patent protections,” says Barbara Sparacino, MD, a triple board-certified physician and on-call psychiatrist for health systems in Miami, Florida.

Many people wonder whether Jublia is available as a generic, since the retail price of the brand-name medication exceeds $1,000 per month. Brand-name Jublia is costly because the pharmaceutical company Valeant Pharmaceuticals (now Bausch Health) conducted extensive research and development, funded high-cost clinical trials that demonstrated the drug’s safety and efficacy, and obtained FDA approval to bring the drug to market. Generic drug manufacturers don’t need to start from scratch since they essentially copy a preexisting “recipe.”

What does “generic” really mean for medications?

A generic drug has the same form, dosage, safety, and efficacy as a brand-name drug. The difference? Price and, in some cases, appearance. For instance, generic Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) contains the same active ingredients in a differently colored capsule than brand-name Adderall. 

It’s a common myth that generics are subpar. However, Heather Gosnell, MD, board-certified pediatrician and certified plant-based health coach in Phoenix, Arizona, says research consistently shows that generic medications work just as well as brand-name medications. “I routinely recommend generics to my patients to help them save money without sacrificing quality of care,” she says.

Generally, generic drugs are bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. 

• Bioequivalence refers to the two drugs delivering precisely the same amount of medication to the bloodstream over the same amount of time, says Dr. Grosnell.
• Therapeutic equivalence means that the two drugs have the same effects (benefits and side effects) when used in real patients.

Dr. Sparacino says she explains it to her patients like this: “Bioequivalence is making sure the gasoline going into the car is the same. Therapeutic equivalence is making sure the car actually drives the same way in the real world.”

The rigorous process of generic drug approval

Generic drug companies don’t need to start formulating a medication from scratch, but they still undergo a rigorous process to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

According to the FDA, generic drug applications must show that the generic medication meets the following criteria:

1. Equivalent dosage form. The generic drug must have the same delivery method (tablet versus injectable, for instance) and be released at the same rate (immediate-release versus extended-release, for example). 
2. Correct manufacturing. Generic drugs are not typically manufactured in the same facilities as their brand-name counterparts. Generic drug companies must provide proof that their manufacturing process is safe and correct.
3. Consistency. Generic drug manufacturers must demonstrate that each step of the manufacturing process consistently produces the same result.
4. Same active ingredient. The generic drug must use the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug. 
5. Bioequivalence. The generic drug must deliver the same amount of medication to the bloodstream at the same time as the brand-name drug.
6. Inactive ingredient safety. The inactive ingredients in generic drugs may differ slightly from those in brand-name drugs, but they must be proven safe.
7. Stability. All medications start to break down over time. Like brand-name drugs, generic drugs must undergo stability tests to prove that they last for “a reasonable amount of time,” per the FDA.
8. Appropriate packaging. Generic drug companies must prove that the medication packaging will not deteriorate, keeping the drug safe from the elements.
9. Consistent labeling. The generic drug information label should be the same as the brand-name drug information label.
10. Legality. A generic drug cannot be released until the brand-name drug’s patents and exclusivity rights expire. 

Bottom line: The meticulous process of generic drug approval ensures that any generic medications you take are just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug. The process takes time, which can be frustrating, but it ultimately benefits patients by protecting their health.

What is the active ingredient in Jublia?

The active ingredient in Jublia is efinaconazole, which works by inhibiting the growth of the fungus at the cellular level. This eventually kills the fungal infection and prevents regrowth. 

Research indicates that efinaconazole is safe and effective for most individuals, including children aged six and older, older adults, and patients with diabetes. Because Jublia is a topical treatment — applied like nail polish to the affected toenail and surrounding skin — it doesn’t cause whole-body side effects like oral antifungals do. Jublia side effects, such as ingrown toenails, nail discoloration, and contact dermatitis on the application site, are not severe.

Alternatives to brand-name Jublia

If your insurance doesn’t cover Jublia, or the out-of-pocket cost with insurance coverage is still too high, you can ask your dermatology healthcare provider about lower-cost alternatives. 

Alternatives to brand-name Jubila include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) topical antifungal treatment
• Generic oral antifungal medication
• Generic topical antifungal medication

Some mild cases of toenail fungus can be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications such as topical terbinafine (Lamisil). OTC treatments are significantly less expensive than Jublia. That said, most people are only prescribed Jublia after OTC options have been tried and failed. 

Oral antifungals are the most effective treatment for toenail fungus, but they can also cause side effects such as gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and rashes. If the benefits of a cost-effective oral treatment outweigh the risk of side effects, ask your provider about terbinafine. The current retail price is about $270 for 30 250-milligram (mg) tablets of terbinafine. A SingleCare discount card or coupon can reduce the cost to as low as $11 for 30 250-mg tablets at Kroger or Harris Teeter pharmacies in ZIP code 23666. Actual savings vary by pharmacy and location.

Research shows that topical antifungals are less effective than oral antifungals, though Jublia successfully eradicated the fungus in 55% of clinical trial participants. Ciclopirox is a generic topical antifungal, but it is less effective than Jublia. The retail price of ciclopirox is about $133 for one 90-gram (gm) of 0.77% tube, but a SingleCare coupon can reduce the cost to as low as $29 for a 90-gm of 0.77% tube at Food Lion or CVS pharmacies in ZIP code 23666. Again, actual savings vary by pharmacy and location.

When might generic Jublia be available?

“Public information suggests we may not see widely available generics until the early-to-mid 2030s …,” Dr. Sparacino says. “… The exact generic launch date is ultimately driven by patent expirations, legal settlements, and manufacturers’ business decisions.” 

Once generic Jublia hits the market, patients can pay a lower price and have better access to this toenail fungus medication. Generic drugs are also more likely to be covered by insurance — and to be listed with a lower copay on your insurance plan’s drug formulary. 

Anyone interested in the generic availability of Jublia — or other new treatment options for onychomycosis — should stay in touch with a healthcare professional. Drs. Gosnell and Sparacino also point patients to the FDA’s Orange Book website, which lists the expiration dates for patents on approved drugs. “The key milestone is the last patent date,” Dr. Gosnell says. “Once that date has passed, the door opens for generic manufacturers.”

The SingleCare prices in this article are accurate as of November 26, 2025, for the ZIP code 23666 at the time of publication. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Jublia coupon page for updated Jublia prices near you.