Antimicrobial Agents: Antifungal Agents

polyenes

an antifungal that binds to ergosterol present in the cell membrane, disrupting the membrane function, allowing electrolytes to leak out from the cell, resulting in cell death

amphotericin B

an antifungal produced by Streptomyces nodosus and the drug of choice for severe systematic mycoses such as histoplasmosis, coccidiodomycosis, blastomycosis, and life threatening invasive aspergillosis

nystatin

an antifungal produced by Streptomyces noursei and is used in the treatment of candida infections of the skin, vagina, and alimentary tract

natamycin

an antifungal produced by Streptomyces natalensis

azoles

an antifungal that inhibits CP450 and it ergosterol synthesis

iconazole

an antifungal used for superficial mycoses that inhibits lanosterol C14-demethylase, an important enzyme in sterol synthesis

tioconazole

an antifungal used for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

clotrimazole

an antifungal for superficial mycoses

ketoconazole

an antifungal drug that is less toxic than amphotericin B for many systemic mycoses when taken orally

ketoconazole

a topical antifungal used to treat dermatomycoses

itraconazole

an antifungal that lacks the endocrinologic effects of ketoconazole and is more effective and better tolerated than ketoconazole

fluconazole

an antifungal drug of choice for cryptococcal meningitis

voriconazole

a new promising broad spectrum antifungal expected to replace amphotericin B, is able to penetrate BBB, and is more potent than itraconazole against Aspergillus spp.

posaconazole

an antifungal used to treat Aspergillus and Candida systemic fungal infections

allylamines

an antifungal that inhibits the squalene epoxidase and shuts down the biosynthesis of ergosterol and causes an accumulation of squalene, destabilizing the fungal cell membrane

tolnaftate

a common alternative to miconazole as a topical agent for the treatment of athlete's food

Agents Affecting Fungal Cell Wall

it is an antifungal characteristic that inhibits the beta-glucan and results in an incomplete cell wall and results in the lysis of the fungal cell

caspofungin

an antifungal that is effective against Candida spp. and Pneumocystis jirovecii, which causes pneumonia often seen in AIDS patient

flucytosine

a pyrimidine analog that inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis and is used only in combination with amphotericin B for systemic mycoses and meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida

flucytosine

an important antifungal agent which inhibits DNA synthesis and is only active on yeasts

griseofulvin

an antifungal for dermatophytosis (ringworm infections) that taken with fatty acids to increase absorption

undecylenic acid

a fatty acid that has antifungal property against athlete's food but not as effective as tolnaftate or the imidazole

pentamidine isethionate

it is used in the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia, a frequent complication of AIDS

topical ketoconazole

an adverse effect of this drug is hepatotoxic and antiandrogenic effect that inhibits testosterone or gynecomastia, low sperm count, and low libido

disulfiram like reactions

what is the side effect of griseofulvin?