There are millions of types of fungi, including yeasts and molds.
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What Are Antifungal Medications?
Antifungal drugs are a class of medications that are used to treat invasive fungal infections.
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Each of these medications works by killing fungi-causing infection and/or stopping the fungi from continuing to grow.
How They Work
Each key in of antifungal works in a different way.
Certain antifungals target specific types of fungus, while others can be used on a wide range of species.
What Types of Infections Do Antifungals Treat?
Who Is At Risk of Fungal Infections?
Fungi are opportunistic, meaning they can infect anyone that comes in contact with them.
They each work in a specific way to treat certain types of fungal infections.
Allylamines
Antifungal medications in this group attack the membranes of fungal cells, eventually destroying them.
There are two main formulations ofallyaminesLamisil (terbinafine) and Naftin (naftifine).
Azoles
Azoles are a throw in of antifungal that many people are familiar with.
These medications attack the cell membrane and keep fungi from growing.
Antifungal medications in the azole family are usually used to treat candidiasis, a fungal infection due to yeast.
This can include conditions such asvaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, and jock itch.
Azoles are also usually offered in a variety of formulations from powders to creams.
Although these antifungals are very useful, their popularity has led to a level of resistance.
Additionally, there are some types of fungus that don’t respond to certain antifungals.
Antifungals are no exception.
Azoles, in particular, are prone to drug-to-drug interactions that can cause serious complications likeabnormal heart rhythms.
Antifungals in this group are usually used to treat invasive candidiasis.
This eventually leads to death of the fungal cell and an end to the fungal infection.
Amphotericin B is one formulation in this class, and it’s one of the most potent antifungals.
Skin
There are many types offungal infections that affect the skin.
This can come in the form of a vaginal yeast infection or jock itch.
Oral
When yeast infections develop in the mouth, throat, or esophagus, these are calledthrush.
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