[Systemic antifungal agents]

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2003 Aug-Sep;21(7):366-79; quiz 380, 390. doi: 10.1016/s0213-005x(03)72964-4.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Invasive fungal infection is the infectious complication with highest associated mortality. Until the 90's amphotericin B was the only drug available to treat these infections. Its spectrum of antifungal activity is excellent, but its use is associated with toxicity in many cases. The development of amphotericin B lipid formulations has resulted in a significant decrease in most of the side effects associated with this drug. Triazoles are safe and effective for treating most invasive fungal infections. Fluconazole is an excellent drug for the prevention and treatment of Candida and Cryptococcus infections, itraconazole has good activity against Candida and Aspergillus, and voriconazole has shown to be better than amphotericin B for invasive aspergillosis. Caspofungin belongs to a new group of antifungal agents, the echinocandins, which are very safe and present excellent activity against Candida and Aspergillus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Amphotericin B / adverse effects
  • Amphotericin B / chemistry
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caspofungin
  • Echinocandins
  • Flucytosine / adverse effects
  • Flucytosine / chemistry
  • Flucytosine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Peptides / adverse effects
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Peptides, Cyclic*
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Triazoles / adverse effects
  • Triazoles / chemistry
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Amphotericin B
  • Flucytosine
  • Caspofungin