Antifungal Drugs

An antifungal agent is a drug that selectively eliminates fungal pathogens from a host with minimal toxicity to the host.

It also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, candidiasis, serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis.

Classification of Drugs:

1. Antibiotics:

A)Polyenes: amphotericin B, Nystatin, Hamycin, Natamycin

B)Heterocyclic Benzofuran: Griseofulvin

2. Antimetabolite: Flucytosine (5-FC)

3. Azoles:

A)Imidazoles (topical): Clotrimazole, Econazole, Miconazole, Oxiconazole.

Systemic: ketoconazole.

B)Trizoles (systemic): Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole.

4. Allylamine: Terbinafine

5. Other topical agents: Tolnaftate, Undecylenic acid, Benzoic acid, Quiniodochlor, Ciclopirox olamine, Butenafine, Sodium thiosulfate.