Fungal Infections: List of Antifungal Drugs in Nigeria.
Fungal infections also known as mycosis are quite common in the world today and they can sometimes be life threatening. Mycotic infection gained more prominence after the advent of HIV since fungal organisms thrive more in persons with very weak immunity.
The common fungal infections are:
Ringworm
Jock itch
Athlete’s foot
Tinea unguium/fungal nail infection.
Eczema
Oral thrush
Vaginal thrush/vaginal yeast infection/vagina candidiasis
Cryptococcal meningitis
List of antifungal drugs in Nigeria
Clotrimazole is used to treat skin infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis).
This medication is also used to treat a skin condition known as pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs.
Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal that works by preventing the growth of fungus. Trade name is mycoten or canesten or lotrimin.
5. FLUCONAZOLE
Fluconazole is an antifungal medication used for a number of fungal infections.
This includes candidiasis, blastomycosis, coccidiodomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, dermatophytosis, and pityriasis versicolor.
It is also used to prevent candidiasis in those who are at high risk such as following organ transplantation, low birth weight babies, and those with low blood neutrophil counts.
It is given either by mouth or by injection into a vein. Trade name is Diflucan.
6. Nystatin
Nystatin, sold under the brandname Mycostatin among others, is an antifungal medication. It is used to treat Candida infections of the skin including diaper rash, thrush, esophageal candidiasis, and vaginal yeast infections. It may also be used to prevent candidiasis in those who are at high risk.
7. Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used for serious fungal infections and leishmaniasis.
The fungal infections it is used to treat include aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis.
For certain infections it is given with flucytosine. ] It is typically given by injection into a vein.
8. MYCOTEN
MYCOTEN is now very popular for treating vaginal yeast infection caused by fungi…it is cheap and affordable.
9. Tydineal
Cheap and affordable triple action antifungal cream that has also found use in treating black spots or eczema.
Side effects of anti fungal medications
Your antifungal medicine may cause side effects. These are usually mild and only last for a short period of time.
They can include:
- itching or burning
- redness
- feeling sick
- tummy (abdominal) pain
- diarrhoea
- a rash
Occasionally, your antifungal drug may cause a more severe reaction, such as:
- an allergic reaction – your face, neck or tongue may swell and you may have difficulty breathing
- a severe skin reaction – such as peeling or blistering skin
- liver damage (occurs very rarely) – you may experience loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, jaundice, dark urine or pale faeces, tiredness or weakness
Stop using the medicine if you have these severe side effects, and see your doctor or pharmacist to find an alternative.
PLEASE NOTE: This article is strictly for your education and not an alternative to seeing a doctor. The NIGERIAN HEALTH BLOG will not be held liable for any abuse of these medications.
