Topical antifungals
What are Topical antifungals?
Common names for antifungal medicines include:
- clotrimazole (Canesten)
- econazole.
- miconazole.
- terbinafine (Lamisil)
- fluconazole (Diflucan)
- ketoconazole (Daktarin)
- nystatin (Nystan)
- amphotericin.
What are topical antifungals used for?
Topical antifungals may be used to treat fungal infections of the skin, scalp, mucous membranes, nails, and vagina. Examples of infections that topical antifungals may treat include:
- Candida infections
- Nail infections
- Pityriasis versicolor (causes flaky, discolored patches of skin)
- Tinea barbae (fungal infection of the beard and mustache area)
- Tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp)
- Tinea corporis (ringworm)
- Tinea cruris (jock itch)
- Tinea faciei (facial fungal infection)
- Tinea manuum (fungal infection of the hands)
- Tinea nigra
- Tinea pedis (fungal infection of the foot).
Other fungal infections not listed here may also be treated with topical antifungals.
What are the differences between topical antifungals?
Antifungal agents may be classified into a number of different types, depending on their structure and the way that they work. Many topical antifungals work by inhibiting production of ergosterol, a fundamental component of the fungal cell membrane and wall.
Are topical antifungals safe?
Topical antifungals are considered safe when used exactly as directed according to the product label. However, certain topical antifungals have been associated with serious side effects, for example:
- Miconazole oral gel: Should not be used in infants with an impaired swallowing reflex or in preterm infants in their first six months of life, or in babies less than four months old, because of the potential for airway obstruction
- Miconazole oral gel: May also cause clinically significant interactions with medicines (such as warfarin) metabolized through the same liver pathway because miconazole oral gel is absorbed through the mouth.
Azole antifungals
Azole antifungals are further classified into imidazoles and triazoles. Although all azoles work in the same way (by inhibiting an enzyme that converts lanosterol into ergosterol), there are differences in the spectrum of activity between imidazoles and triazoles.
Azole antifungals are metabolized through cytochrome p450 liver enzymes and are particularly susceptible to clinically-significant drug interactions with other medications metabolized through the same pathway, although this tends to only apply to topical products used inside the mouth, such as miconazole oral gel.
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
|---|---|
| Imidazoles | |
| clotrimazole | FungiCURE, Lotrimin |
| econazole | Ecoza, Spectazole |
| ketoconazole | Nizoral topical |
| miconazole | Azolen, Zeasorb |
| miconazole/zinc oxide | Rash Relief Antifungal, Vusion |
| oxiconazole | Oxistat |
| sertaconazole | Ertaczo |
| tioconazole | 1-day, Vagistat-1 |
| Triazoles | |
| efinaconazole | Jublia |
Polyene antifungals
Polyenes work by binding to ergosterol, disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell membrane. Nystatin is the only polyene antifungal available topically. Note that nystatin is not effective against dermatophyte infections but can be used to treat Candida infections.
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
|---|---|
| nystatin | Mycostatin topical, Nyamyc |
Allylamine antifungals
Allylamines work in a similar way to azoles but have their effect earlier on in the ergosterol synthesis pathway. They inhibit the enzyme squalene epoxidase which converts squalene into ergosterol, disrupting synthesis of the fungal cell wall.
Terbinafine is also metabolized by cytochrome p450 liver enzymes and is particularly susceptible to clinically-significant drug interactions with other medications metabolized through this pathway, although this tends not to apply to topical products.
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
|---|---|
| amorolfin | Not available in the U.S. |
| naftifine | Naftin |
| terbinafine | Lamisil |
Other antifungals
Several other topical antifungals are available. Their mechanism of action differs to the antifungals listed above.
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
|---|---|
| Benzoic acid and salicylic acid | Bensal HP |
| ciclopirox | Ciclodan, Loprox |
| tavaborole | Kerydin |
| tolnaftate | Tinactin |
| undecylenic acid | Blis-To-Sol, Protectol |
What are the side effects of topical antifungals?
Not everybody will experience side effects from topical antifungals. Some of the more commonly reported side effects include:
- Burning or stinging
- Rash
- Sensitivity reactions
- Skin irritation (redness, peeling, swelling).
Some vaginal topical antifungal preparations have been associated with burning, cramping, itching, pain, and bleeding.
Clotrimazole Skin Cream, Lotion, Ointment or Solution. Clotrimazole is a medicated antifungal skin cream, lotion, ointment or solution. It treats certain kinds of skin fungal or yeast infections. Follow the instructions on the label and wash your hands before and after using this product on your skin.
Many antifungals are suitable for both dermatophytes and yeast infections, whereas others are more specific for one or another type of fungus. Topical antifungals work in two ways: They kill the fungal cells. They prevent the fungal cells to grow and reproduce.
Examples include terbinafine (Lamisil), clotrimazole (Canesten), and miconazole (Daktacort and Daktarin). You’ll usually need to continue treatment for one to two weeks after your symptoms have gone, to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.
The four classes of topical antifungal drugs are azole antifungals, polyene antifungals, allylamine antifungals, and other antifungals. Azole antifungals inhibit the enzyme that converts lanosterol into ergosterol.
List of Topical antifungals
