Antifungal Drugs : Definition, Classification, Example, Mechanism of Action, Uses, Side Effects, Contraindications, & Interactions
Introduction
- Antifungal drugs are agents used for superficial and deep (systemic) fungal infections.
- Infectious diseases caused by fungi, often chronic in nature, are called mycoses.
Mycotic infections may be superficial and involve only the skin (cutaneous mycoses extending into the epidermis), while others may penetrate the skin, causing subcutaneous or systemic infections.
Classification
Based on class
1. Antibiotics
E.g.
| Polyenes | Heterocyclic benzofuran |
| AmphotericinB (AMB) | Griseofulvin |
| Nystatin | |
| Natamycin (Pimaricin) | |
| Hamycin |
2. Antimetabolite
E.g.
- Flucytosine (5-FC)
3. Azoles
E.g.
| Topical | Systemic |
| Clotrimazole | Ketoconazole |
| Econazole | Fluconazole |
| Miconazole | Itraconazole |
| Oxiconazole | Voriconazole |
4. Allylamine
E.g.
- Terbinafine
5. Other topical agents
E.g.
- Tolnaftate
- Undecylenic acid
- Benzoic acid,
- Quiniodochlor
- Ciclopirox olamine
- Butenafine,
- Sod. thiosulfate
Based on use
A. Drugs for Subcutaneous & Systemic Mycosis
E.g.
- Amphotericin B
- Anidulafungin
- Caspofungin
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Micafungin
- Posaconazole
- Voriconazole
B. Drugs for Cutaneous Mycosis
E.g.
- Clotrimazole
- Ciclopirox
- Econazole
- Griseofulvin
- Miconazole
- Nystatin
- Natamycin (Pimaricin)
- Oxiconazole
- Sertaconazole
- Sulconazole
- Terconazole
- Tioconazole
- Tolnaftate
- Butenafine
- Butoconazole
- Naftifine
- Terbinafine
- Undecylenic acid
- Benzoic acid
- Quiniodochlor
- Sodium thiosulfate
For detailed query about Uses, Side Effects, Contraindications, Interactions of antifungal drugs, refer to individual drugs.
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