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Antifungal medications are a group of  medications are able to discern between the cells of fungal and mammalian.

This allows for specific target to fungal infections.

Bacteria is very different from humans and fungal.

Fungus and human cells both are Eukaryotes.

The concern then is that when you attack fungus then you may be harming the human cells as well.

Therefore, side effects may be and are often present.

Can be divided into 5 catagories

1.)  Polyene
2.)  Imidazole
3.)  Triazole
4.)  Allylamines
5.)  Echinocandins
6.)  Others

Polyene

• Amphotericin B
  Uses: Critically ill, immunocompromised patients, serious fungal infections, thrush, etc
• Natamycin
  Uses: Fungal Keratitis
• Nystatin
  Uses: Molds, Yeast infections, Thrush, Prophylaxis in individuals prone to fungal infections – HIV

Imidazole

• This is a synthetic drug

More Common Medications

• Clotrimazole   [Lotrimin]
  Uses: Vaginal yeast infection, Ringworm, Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot
• Miconazole
  Uses: Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm
• Ketoconazole
  Uses: Dandruff shampoo [Nizoral], Athlete’s foot, Ringworm, Jock Itch, Tinea Versicolor, and in the immunocompromised

Less Common Medications

• Bifonazole
• Butoconazole
• Econazole
• Fenticonazole
  and a few others

Triazoles

• This is a synthetic drug
• Fluconazole   [Diflucan, Trican]
  Uses: Coccidioidomycosis, Cryptococcosis, Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis (especially in HIV positive), Fungal meningitis,
  Fungus in toenail, Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm, etc
• Itraconazole
  Uses: Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, Aspergillus

Allylamines

• Terbinafine  [Lamisil]
  Uses: Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm, Fungus in toenail
• Amorolfine   [Curanail, others]
  Uses: Fungus in toenail – can be placed on as a “nail lacquer”
• Naftifine  [Naftin]
  Uses: Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm
• Butenafine   [Lotrimin Ultra]
  Uses: Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm

Others

• Tolnaftate   [Tinactin] – found OTC
  Uses: Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot, Ringworm
• Ciclopirox
  Uses: Tinea Versicolor