Overview
Antifungals are medications that treat fungal diseases by killing or stopping the growth of fungi in humans, animals, and plants. Antifungals are a type of antimicrobials.
Antifungals are available in different forms:
- Topical, such as creams, ointments, shampoo, or powder
- Oral, as pills or liquids
- Intravenous (IV)
Some types of topical antifungals are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and should be taken exactly as directed on their labels. Prescription antifungals should be used as directed by a healthcare provider. If the medication causes serious side effects or does not work, talk to a healthcare provider.
Prolonged use and side effects.
People often experience the effects of antifungal medications differently than other antimicrobials. They may need to take them for a long period of time, sometimes months or years, to treat a fungal infection. Antifungal medications also tend to cause more and worse side effects in more people than other antimicrobials.
Common side effects include:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- headaches
- Skin rashes or irritation
More serious side effects include liver toxicity with certain azoles and kidney damage with amphotericin B.
Appropriate use
Antifungals should always be taken as directed by a healthcare provider or the directions on the product label. Inappropriate use may delay or prevent treatment of infection, increase side effects, or contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Always take the prescribed amount of antifungal medication. It is important to continue taking the medication for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. If an antifungal causes serious side effects or symptoms do not improve, talk to a healthcare provider.
Topical antifungals and corticosteroids.
If you purchase a topical antifungal without a prescription, choose a product that No contain a corticosteroid or steroid. Corticosteroids and steroids are often combined in topical antifungals and can cause side effects and worsen fungal skin infections.
This information is not widely known. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about a prescription topical antifungal.
Therapeutic drug monitoring
Sometimes it is difficult to find the dose (amount) of antifungal that can treat an infection and minimize side effects. Therapeutic Medication Monitoring (TDM) It is a practice health care providers use to help find and adjust doses. The healthcare provider monitors the level of the drug in the patient’s bloodstream, the progress of treatment, and side effects at specific times.
Fungal cells are similar to cells in the human body. Drugs that damage fungal cells can also harm people. At the same time, fungi can cause serious infections anywhere in the body, including the brain and bloodstream.
