Antifungals are a group of drugs to treat fungal infections. These antifungal or antifungal drugs are available in various dosage forms, ranging from tablets, creams, ointments, soaps, powder, to shampoo. This drug is used according to a doctor's prescription.
Antifungal drugs work by attacking important structures and functions in fungal cells. This drug will damage the membranes and cell walls, so that the fungal cells will burst and die. Some antifungal drugs can kill fungal cells, while others prevent cell growth and development.
Fungal infections can attack any part of the body. Although they can affect any part of the body, fungal infections are most common in the skin, hair, or nails. Fungal infections are generally harmless, but can be serious if they occur in people who have a weak immune system, for example from taking immunosuppressant drugs or suffering from HIV infection.
Antifungal Type
There are several types of antifungal drugs that are divided based on their chemical structure and how they work, including:
Azole
This drug is a broad-spectrum antifungal, meaning it can kill a wide variety of fungi. The azole antifungals work by damaging the fungal cell membrane. If the fungal cell membrane is damaged, the cell will die. Examples of these drugs are:
- Clotrimazole
- Fluconazole
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Tioconazole
- Miconazole
- Voriconazole
Echinocandin
This antifungal drug works by destroying the cell walls of the fungus. If the fungal cell wall cannot be formed, the cell will die. Examples of these drugs are:
- Anidulafungin
- Micafungin
- Caspofungin
Polyene
Polyene antifungals are also known as antimycotics. This drug works by damaging the fungal cell membrane, so that the cell will die. Examples of polyene antifungal drugs are:
- Nystatin
- Amphotericin B
In addition to those mentioned above, there are several other antifungals that are not classified but can also kill fungi, for example, griseofulvin, naftifine, and terbinafine. Antifungal drugs can generally be found in several dosage forms, namely:
- Topical (applied or applied to the skin), for example, cream, lotion, spray, soap, shampoo, or powder
- Oral (drink), for example, tablets, capsules, and syrups
- Intravenous (through a vein), such as injections and infusions
- Intravaginal (through the vagina), which is a tablet that is inserted into the vagina
Warnings Before Using Antifungals:
- Do not use antifungal medicines if you have a history of allergies to these drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, liver problems, or kidney problems.
- Use antifungal only in the recommended area, avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth, when using topical antifungal drugs, unless the drug is used on these areas.
- Tell your doctor if you are currently taking birth control pills. Some types of antifungals can affect the action of the estrogen or progesterone contained in birth control pills.
- Certain types of antifungals are used on the sex organs and can damage the condom or diaphragm being used and reduce their effectiveness. So, avoid using them together.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and supplements.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using antifungal drugs.
Side Effects and Dangers of Antifungal
Antifungals can cause several different side effects, depending on the dosage form of the antifungal drug used. Here is the explanation:
topical and intravaginal antifungal
Topical antifungal drugs can cause some side effects on the area of skin that is applied. These side effects are:
- Irritation
- Burning sensation
- Itch
- redness
Oral or oral antifungal
Side effects that can arise from oral antifungals include:
- Feeling unwell
- Stomach pain
- Bloated
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Digestive disorders
Intravenous antifungal
The following are side effects that can be caused by intravenous antifungals:
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling unwell
- Throw up
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Fever
- Shivering
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Anemia
- Pain and sores at the injection site
In addition to the side effects mentioned above, the use of antifungals can also cause an allergic reaction to the drug, which is characterized by the appearance of an itchy rash on the skin, swelling of the lips or eyelids, and difficulty breathing.
Trademarks and Dosage of Antifungal
As explained above, antifungal drugs consist of several types which are divided based on their chemical structure and how they work.
Azole
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of the azole antifungal drugs for the treatment of a number of conditions in adults:
Itraconazole
Itraconazole trademarks: Fungitrazole, Itzol, Mycotrazol, Sporanox, Sporax
For complete information about this drug, please visit the itraconazole drug page.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole trademarks: Formyco, Nizol, Nizoral, Solinfec, Tokasid, Zoloral
For complete information about this drug, please visit the ketoconazole drug page.
Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole trademarks: Canesten, Clontia
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the clotrimazole drug page.
Fluconazole
Fluconazole trademarks: Cryptal, Diflucan, FCZ, Fluxar, Kifluzol, Zemyc
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the fluconazole drug page.
Miconazole
Miconazole trademarks: Funtas, Locoriz, Mycorine, Mycozol
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the miconazole drug page.
Tioconazole
Tioconazole trademarks: Trosyd, Prodermal
Condition: Fungal skin
- Topical: as 1% cream, apply 1-2 times daily for 7–42 days
Condition: Vulvovaginal candidiasis
- Topical: apply 6.5% ointment once daily intravaginally
Condition: Nail fungus
- Topical: apply tocinazole 28% liquid on the nails and surrounding skin every 12 hours for 6–12 months
Voriconazole
voriconazole trademark: VFend
Condition: Treatment candidaemia, infection candida deep tissue, invasive aspergillosis, scedosporiosis, or fusariosis
- Intravenous: 6 mg/kg every 12 hours for the first day, followed by 4 mg/kg twice daily.
- Oral: 400 mg every 12 hours for the first day followed by 200 mg twice daily.
Echinocandin
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of the echinocandin antifungal drugs for the treatment of a number of conditions in adults:
Anidulafungin
Anidulafungin trademark: Ecalta
Condition: Esophageal candidiasis
- Intravenous: 100 mg as the first day dose followed by 50 mg daily for 7 or 14 days.
Condition: Candidaemia or Candida infection in deeper body tissues
- Intravenous: 200 mg dose the first day followed by 100 mg daily for up to 14 days after clinical symptoms disappear
Micafungin
micafungin trademark: Mycamine
Condition: Severe candidiasis
- Intravenous: 100–200 mg once daily for 14 days
Condition: Esophageal candidiasis
- Intravenous: 150 mg once daily for a week
Polyene
Below is a breakdown of the dosages of polyene antifungal drugs for the treatment of a number of conditions in adults:
Nystatin
Nystatin trademarks: Candistin, Cazetin, Constantia, Enystin, Mycostatin, Nymiko, Nystin, Fladystin, Flagystatin
For complete information about this drug, please visit the nystatin drug page.
Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B trademark: Fungicid
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the amphotericin B drug page.
Other groups
Details of dosages of other antifungal drugs for the treatment of a number of conditions for adults can be found on each of the following drug pages:
Griseofulvin
Griseofulvin trademarks: Griseofulvin, Grivin Forte, Rexavin
To find out complete information about this drug, please visit the griseofulvin drug page.
Terbinafine
Terbinafine trademarks: Interbi, Lamisil, Termisil
For complete information about this drug, please visit the terbinafine drug page.