Fluconazole for the treatment of candidiasis: 15 years experience.
Candidia spp. are responsible for contributing to the increasing global prevalence of fungal infections. Fluconazole (Diflucan((R)), Pfizer) is a triazole that has established an exceptional therapeutic record for candida infections including oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, candidemia and disseminated candidiasis. It is both an oral and parenteral fungistatic agent that inhibits ergosterol synthesis in yeasts. Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated fluconazole's remarkable efficacy, favorable pharmacokinetics and reassuring safety profile, all of which have contributed to its widespread use. Fluconazole became the first antifungal with worldwide sales exceeding billions of dollars, therefore providing an incentive for the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungals. This review will examine the contributions and limitations of fluconazole in the treatment of superficial and invasive candidiasis syndromes.
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, AntiInfective Research Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. r.cha@wayne.edu
Raymond
R
Cha
Jack D
JD
Sobel
D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole