Clioquinol

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

• Uses ICHYBUM is a medicated cream used to help relieve the symptoms of pruritis ani and other afflictions involving chronic itching around the anus

DIRECTIONS Apply a small amount once or twice daily, preferable after showering and or bowel movements and at night before sleep

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY Ask a doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are under 12 years of age, you have an infection affecting the anus or surrounding area e.e. a sexually transmitted disease, or tuberculosis Stop use and consult a doctor if condition worsens or does not improve after regular use as directed

Recent PubMed references pinned to Clioquinol as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Clioquinol improves Sepsis-induced immunosuppression and enhances host anti-infective defense by restoring macrophage phagocytic function.
  International immunopharmacology · 2026 · Guo B, Wang C, Chen L, et al.
  PMID 42155394DOI 10.1016/j.intimp.2026.116893
• Bifunctional BODIPY-Clioquinol Copper Chelator with Multiple Anti-AD Properties.
  International journal of molecular sciences · 2025 · Abramchuk DS, Krasnovskaya OO, Voskresenskaya AS, et al.
  PMID 41465301DOI 10.3390/ijms262411876
• Clioquinol as a new therapy in epilepsy: From preclinical evidence to a proof-of-concept clinical study.
  Epilepsia · 2025 · Thevissen K, Ny A, Copmans D, et al.
  PMID 40616775DOI 10.1111/epi.18536
• Deciphering the anti-senescent effects of Clioquinol: Lifespan prolongation, metabolic homeostasis, and phenotypic rehabilitation in Drosophila melanogaster.
  Free radical biology & medicine · 2025 · Liu XM, Liu XD, Zhang YQ, et al.
  PMID 40570982DOI 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2025.06.046
• Clioquinol induces mitochondrial toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by affecting the respiratory chain complex IV and OPA1 dynamin-like GTPase.
  FEBS letters · 2025 · Katsuyama M, Arakawa N, Yaoi T, et al.
  PMID 40125820DOI 10.1002/1873-3468.70033
• Clioquinol inhibits angiogenesis by promoting VEGFR2 degradation and synergizes with AKT inhibition to suppress triple-negative breast cancer vascularization.
  Angiogenesis · 2025 · Gu Y, Tang T, Qiu M, et al.
  PMID 39899169DOI 10.1007/s10456-024-09965-1
• Clioquinol 3% Cream Improves Clinical Symptoms and Restores the Skin Microbiome in Interdigital Tinea Pedis.
  Mycopathologia · 2025 · Zhong L, Li T, Zhang X, et al.
  PMID 39843765DOI 10.1007/s11046-024-00923-5
• Effects of orally administered clioquinol on the fecal microbiome of horses.
  Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2025 · Smith MZ, York M, Townsend KS, et al.
  PMID 39709594DOI 10.1111/jvim.17276

The 6 most recently updated of 6 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Clioquinol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Improvement of Psoriasis Patients' Adherence to Topical Drugs
  Completed · Interventional · 103 enrolled · Odense University Hospital
  NCT04220554updated 2024-01-30
• Add-on Clioquinol in Drug-resistant Childhood Epilepsy: an Exploratory Study
  Unknown · Phase 2 · Interventional · 10 enrolled · KU Leuven
  NCT05727943updated 2023-02-14
• Study to Evaluate the Safety of Sebryl® and Sebryl Plus® in Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis of Scalp
  Completed · Observational · 90 enrolled · Laboratorios Silanes S.A. de C.V.
  NCT05105139updated 2022-04-13
• Effectiveness of Polymyxin B Sulphate + Prednisolone + Benzocaine + Clioquinol in Acute and Sub-acute Dermatitis Eczematous
  Completed · Phase 3 · Interventional · 76 enrolled · EMS
  NCT01429701updated 2021-02-24
• Magen Haim Project - Assessing Hand Hygiene Formulas
  Unknown · Phase 4 · Interventional · 1,505 enrolled · Sheba Medical Center
  NCT03188549updated 2017-10-17
• Study Evaluating the Tolerance and Biological Activity of Oral Clioquinol in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hematological Malignancy
  Terminated · Phase 1 · Interventional · 11 enrolled · University Health Network, Toronto
  NCT00963495updated 2015-06-22

Frequently asked questions

How does Clioquinol work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

What is Clioquinol used for?

According to FDA labeling, Clioquinol carries indications including: Uses ICHYBUM is a medicated cream used to help relieve the symptoms of pruritis ani and other afflictions involving chronic itching around the anus. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Clioquinol?

Clioquinol is classified as Antiinfectives, Hydroxyquinoline derivatives, Medicated dressings with antiinfectives, Quinoline derivatives, Standardized Chemical Allergen, Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction, Cell-mediated Immunity, Increased Histamine Release, Unknown Physiological Effect.