Fungal Infections: List of Antifungal Drugs in Nigeria

Antifungal Drugs in Nigeria

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

Aspergillosis and so on.

The aim of this article is to educate you on some of the common anti-fungal drugs available in Nigeria…. anti-fungal drugs simply means drugs used to treat fungal infection. They come as creams, lotions, tablets or injections👇

List of antifungal drugs in Nigeria

1. Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole cream is indicated for topical application in the treatment of fungal infections of the skin, such as tinea manus (fungal infection of the hand), tinea corporis (ringworm) , tinea cruris (jock itch) and tinea vesiculor (pityriasis versiculor).

It has also proved effective in the treatment of many kinds of dermatitis, eczema and pruritus. It comes in tablets or cream. Common trade name is klovinal.

2. Terbinafine

Terbinafine, sold under the brand name Lamisil among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat pityriasis versicolor, fungal nail infections, and ringworm including jock itch and athlete’s foot. It is either taken by mouth or applied to the skin as a cream or ointment.

3. Miconazole

Miconazole, sold under the brand name Monistat among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat ring worm, pityriasis versicolor, and yeast infections of the skin or vagina. It is used for ring worm of the body, groin, and feet. It is applied to the skin or vagina as a cream or ointment.

4. Clotrimazole

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.

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.

Antifungal Drugs in Nigeria

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.

Sources:

Wikipedia

NHS

CDC

This post was last modified on April 23, 2020 6:39 pm

Udomoh Eshemokha

I am a practicing medical doctor, a philosopher, critical thinker, a globalist, a patriot, SEO expert and a patient blogger.

Nigerian Health Blog