Antifungal drugs Flashcards
What are they indicated for?
Treatment of local fungal infections
Systemic treatment of invasive or disseminated fungal infections. Specialist treatment needed for these drugs
How does polyene antifungals work?
Nystatin
Bind to egrosterol in fungal cell membranes causing polar pores in it
How do imidazole and triazole antifungals work?
They inhibit ergosterol synthesis. Egosterol is found in fungal cells
What side effects can occur with these drugs?
Nystatin and clotrimazole are used topically and can cause local irritation.
Fluconazole is taken orally and can cause:
GI upset- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
Headache
Increase in liver enzymes
Hypersensitivity causing skin rash
What are the warnings for antifungals?
Fluconazole prescribe in caution in liver disease and QT interval prolongation
Dose reduction required in moderate renal impairment
Should be avoided in pregnancy
What are the important interactions of these drugs?
Fluconazole is a CYP inhibitor so interacts with drugs metabolised by CYP enzymes for example carbamazepine, phenytoin, warfarin, diazepam, simvastatin
Increases the risk of serious arrhythmias with drugs that prolong QT interval of amiodarone, antipsychotics, quinine, quinolone and macrolide and SSRIs
What are the names of some drugs?
nystatin, clotrimazole, fluconazole
