Antifungals

OVERVIEW

This page organizes the various types of anitfungals by their respective drug class.

ECHINOCANDINS

Mechanism:

These medications ultimately inhibit fungal cell wall synthesis by inhibiting the synthesis of beta-glucan [β-(1,3)-glucan)].

Examples (end in “-fungin”): 

Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, Micafungin

POLYENES

Mechanism: 

These medications disrupt the cell membrane integrity by forming holes in the fungal membrane (causing contents to leak out). They achieve this by binding ergosterol (a compound unique to fungus)

Examples: 

AZOLES

Mechanism: 

These medications inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol (which is required for the formation of the cell membrane)

Examples (end in “azalea”: 

Clotrimazole, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Voriconazole

OTHER

Flucytosine:

Works to inhibit nucleic acid synthesis.  

Terbinafine: 

Works to inhibit lanosterol synthesis (inhibits fungal enzyme squalene epoxidase)