VCP 421: Medicine Section

ANTIFUNGALS

Fluconazole (Diflucan)

• Fluconazole works by inhibiting the fungal enzymes that produce ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell wall. Without adequate ergosterol, the fungal cell becomes weak, leaky, and ultimately dies.

Griseofulvin (Fulvicin)

• This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi. While it's possible for a ringworm lesion to be localized and require only topical therapy, this is not the usual situation and oral medication is necessary to control the skin disease.

Itraconazole (Sporonox)

• Itraconazole works by inhibiting the fungal enzymes that produce ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell wall. Without adequate ergosterol, the fungal cell becomes weak, leaky and ultimately dies.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

• This drug fights fungal infections both minor and life threatening, but because of the way it works it can also be used to treat Cushing’s disease (a cortisone imbalance).

Terbinafine (Lamisil)

• Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.