Therapies for the treatment of onychomycosis.
Onychomycosis treatments include nail avulsion and debridement by chemical or surgical procedures, topical and oral antifungals, and device-based therapies. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the different types of treatments--including the most commonly prescribed topical (ciclopirox) and oral (terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole) treatments for onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds, and yeasts--are reviewed. Safety and efficacy data for the healthy adult population and for special populations such as children and diabetic patients have confirmed the importance of proper mycological diagnosis before the initiation of therapy as well as the evaluation of the risks and benefits of the different treatments.
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto School of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mediprobe Research, Inc., London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: agupta@execulink.com.
Aditya K
AK
Gupta
Maryse
M
Paquet
Fiona C
FC
Simpson
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077768:Ciclopirox; D003646:Debridement; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009025:Morpholines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077291:Terbinafine
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009025:Morpholines; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011728:Pyridones; D000077768:Ciclopirox; D017964:Itraconazole; D015725:Fluconazole; C038974:amorolfine; D000077291:Terbinafine