Pharmacotherapy of onychomycosis.
Fungal infections of the nails are frequent in some segments of the population. Dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds are potential pathogens. A series of antifungal treatments are available to the clinician, differing by both their mechanistic nature and mode of administration. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of each antifungal agent are distinct. This review focuses on the characteristics of amorolfine, bifonazole, ciclopirox, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ravuconazole, R126638 and terbinafine. Single drug treatments and combined therapies are presented. None of the current drug regimens have demonstrated reliable efficacy against all cases of onychomycosis. Treatment failures, relapses and reinfections remain stubborn problems in the management of onychomycosis.
Baran
Robert
R
Nail Disease Centre, 42, Rue des Serbes, F-06400 Cannes, France. baran.r@club-internet.fr
Gupta
Aditya K
AK
Piérard
Gerald E
GE
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000935:Antifungal Agents