Overview Of Common Antifungal Medications

Antifungal medications treat many fungal infections! These medications will kill the fungus or stop it from growing. Many patients apply this type of medication to their skin as a cream. However, some fungal infections are treated with oral forms! Of course, patients must discuss their medical history and current medications before being prescribed this medication. Most of them receive antifungals for two to four weeks! Certain patients have to try a few different medications before they find the one that works best for their symptoms.

An oral prescription for yeast infections is a common use for antifungal medication! These medications are also a standard dandruff treatment. Typically, they are offered as a prescription dandruff shampoo! Patients often receive antifungal medicines for ringworm and athlete's foot as well. Every patient wants the best antifungal medicine for their condition. This requires an understanding of the common antifungal medications as well as a discussion with their doctor first!

Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole is a strong antifungal medication. It treats pityriasis and fungal skin infections! Examples of the skin infections it treats are athlete's foot and ringworm! These patients receive a topical ointment with this medication. They need to apply this ointment according to the directions from their doctor. Most patients need to do so twice daily! When patients apply this medication, they must not put a bandage on the affected area. They also need to wash their hands after touching this ointment! Oral tablets help yeast infections in an individual's throat and mouth. Most patients must dissolve one tablet in their mouth at a time. On average, this takes thirty minutes! Patients typically take five of these tablets each day.

Of course, this medication has side effects! Common examples of this are nausea, vomiting, itching, and upset stomach. This medication also triggers mouth discomfort! Individuals must consult their doctor about side effects. They also need to do this when their infection lasts longer than four weeks!

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Econazole

Econazole is a great topical antifungal medication. Patients use it to treat athlete's foot, ringworm, and other fungal infections. It even treats yeast infections on the skin! Many tinea versicolor patients see skin discoloration. This medication treats that symptom! Patients need to follow their doctor's instructions for this antifungal. Individuals with ringworm often need to apply the cream once daily for up to two weeks! Yeast infection patients often use this medication twice daily for two weeks as well. However, athlete's foot patients typically need this medication once daily for four weeks!

Of course, this medication comes with precautions! Children younger than twelve years old cannot take it. Pregnant or breastfeeding women need to talk to their doctor about it first! An individual's current medications matter as well. They need to tell their doctor about all of them! This helps them avoid interactions, such as what exists between blood thinners and econazole. As well, patients have to store the foam form of this antifungal away from direct sunlight. In addition, this form needs to be used away from high heat and open flames! Patients also need to watch for side effects. Common ones on this medication are redness, burning, itching, and stinging around the application site! Severe skin redness or stinging must be reported immediately.

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Terbinafine

Terbinafine is commonly offered as an oral medication. It treats fungal infections of the nails and hair! Children with fungal infections in their hair follicles are able to take oral granules of this medication. However, certain patients cannot take this antifungal! It is not safe for liver disease patients or for pregnant women! Patients with a weak immune system, lupus, or liver issues must speak to their doctor first.

Similar to others, this antifungal medicine comes with side effects! In most cases, patients see diarrhea, skin rashes, nausea, headaches, and upset stomach. Abnormal liver function tests on this medication are also possible! Thus, patients must watch for warning signs of liver issues. Examples of these signs are dark urine, appetite loss, and jaundice. Clay-colored stool is another significant sign!

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Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is another common antifungal medication! It is great for treating seborrhea and athlete's foot. This medication also treats ringworm and pityriasis! Patients apply this cream to their skin or scalp. They need to do this on clean skin. It is not appropriate for use on open wounds or irritated skin! Of course, certain individuals cannot use this medication. Examples include individuals with allergies to sulfites, breastfeeding women, and asthma patients. Patients with allergies to other antifungals, including econazole, cannot take this one either!

Patients must be aware of the side effects of ketoconazole. Common examples are thinning hair, changes in hair color or texture, and dry or itchy skin. Shortness of breath when taking this medication requires an immediate call to a doctor! This also applies when patients experience pain around the application site. Of course, other precautions exist when patients use ketoconazole. These individuals have to avoid harsh soaps and irritating products. Individuals with pityriasis taking this medication need to avoid sun exposure!

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Fluconazole

Fluconazole treats many fungal infections! It is prescribed for mouth, blood, lungs, bladder, and esophageal infections. Immunocompromised individuals and cancer patients receive this medication as a prevention method for these infections! This medication even treats a form of meningitis that often develops with HIV and AIDs. Of course, doctors must assess patients first! They must know when they have a history of kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, heart problems, HIV, AIDS, and similar issues.

This medication comes with side effects! The most reported ones include diarrhea, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and stomach pain. Patients experience taste changes often as well! It is also vital to note that many medications interact with fluconazole. Thus, patients must list their current medications and share them with their doctor! Ones that cause interactions with this antifungal include blood pressure medication, blood thinners, and cholesterol medicine. Patients taking these medications often need adjusted doses! Others have to switch to other medicines.