Antifungal agents
| Drug | Mechanism of action | Adverse effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azoles | Inhibits 14α-demethylase which produces ergosterol | P450 inhibition Liver toxicity | |
| Amphotericin B | Binds with ergosterol forming a transmembrane channel that leads to monovalent ion (K+, Na+, H+ and Cl) leakage | Nephrotoxicity, flu-like symptoms, hypokalaemia, hypomagnaseamia | Used for systemic fungal infections |
| Terbinafine | Inhibits squalene epoxidase | Commonly used in oral form to treat fungal nail infections | |
| Griseofulvin | Interacts with microtubules to disrupt mitotic spindle | Induces P450 system, teratogenic | |
| Flucytosine | Converted by cytosine deaminase to 5-fluorouracil, which inhibits thymidylate synthase and disrupts fungal protein synthesis | Vomiting | |
| Caspofungin | Inhibits synthesis of beta-glucan, a major fungal cell wall component | Flushing | |
| Nystatin | Binds with ergosterol forming a transmembrane channel that leads to monovalent ion (K+, Na+, H+ and Cl) leakage | As very toxic can only be used topically (e.g. for oral thrush) |