ANTI FUNGAL DRUGS
PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS
Antifungal drugs are medications used to
treat fungal infections.
CLASSIFICATION:
1.
AZOLES:
Examples:
Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole.
Mechanism of action:
Inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol by inhibiting ‘14 alpha demethylase’.
Adverse effects:
a)
Hepatotoxicity
b)
Gastrointestinal
disturbances
c)
Skin rash
d)
Headache
e)
Endocrine disturbances
Uses:
a)
Treatment of fungal
infections
b)
Prevention of fungal infections
in immunocompromised individuals
c)
Vaginal yeast infection
treatment
2.
ALLYLAMINES:
Examples:
Terbinafine, Naftifine.
Mechanism of action:
Inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol by inhibiting squalene epoxidase.
Adverse effects:
a)
Gastrointestinal upset
b)
Headache
c)
Rash
d)
Changes in taste
perception
e)
Liver enzyme
abnormalities
Uses:
a)
Treatment of fungal nail
infections
b)
Topical therapy for
dermatophyte skin infections
3.
ECHINOCANDINS
Examples:
Caspofungin, Micafungin, Anidulafungin.
Mechanism of action:
Inhibit the synthesis of the fungal cell wall.
Adverse effects:
a)
Gastrointestinal upset
b)
Fever
c)
Phlebitis at injection
site
d)
Headache
e)
Elevated liver enzymes
Uses:
a)
Invasive candidiasis
b)
Candidemia
c) Esophageal candidiasis