These medications are able to distern 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
Is a synthetic drug
More common
. 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
. Bifonazole
. Butoconazole
. Econazole
. Fenticonazole
. and a few others
Triazoles
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