Classification of antifungal tablets
Tablet drugs with antimycotic action vary depending on the structure and mechanism of action.
Pollinatedquickly destroy fungal spores by breaking the integrity of their membrane. They are well tolerated by the body and do not have a negative effect on the liver and digestive system.
For the treatment of fungal infection in the initial stage, external drugs are used - solution, varnish or cream, hydrogen peroxide.
It is recommended to treat fungus with tablets when ointments, creams, oils, sprays and other means for local application have not worked.
Effective tablets against nail fungus
The pharmacological market offers a wide range of antifungal drugs in the form of tablets, which differ in the main active ingredient, manufacturer and price.
Active substance:
- Terbinafine hydrochloride
- fluconazole
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine
- Natamycin
When choosing a drug, you should take into account the type of fungal infection and the severity of the disease. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to correctly establish the nature of onychomycosis, since many drugs affect only a certain group of pathogens.
A drug based on terbinafine hydrochloride
This is a tablet antifungal drug that has a pathogenic effect on the pathogenic microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. It contains the active substance of the same name. The product helps to destroy the outer membrane of fungal pathogens, which leads to their death.
Cheap tablets are used to treat onychomycosis, dermophytosis and ringworm.
- kidney failure;
- children under 3 years old;
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- hypersensitivity to terbinafine.
The drug can cause side effects - headache, nausea, loss of appetite, stool disorder, painful abdominal cramps.
With long-term use, you should systematically monitor liver function and stop drinking alcoholic beverages.
The recommended dose is 1 tablet per day. The duration of treatment is determined individually. In advanced stage of onychomycosis, use is allowed for 8-12 weeks.
A drug from the group of triazole antifungal agents
An effective drug with antifungal action, produced in various pharmacological forms. The drug is used to eliminate fungal infections, as well as for preventive purposes. It is allowed to be used in liver diseases, but under the supervision of a doctor.
- kidney diseases;
- period of exacerbation of psoriasis and other inflammatory dermatological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance to the active components of fluconazole.
To treat nail fungus, the drug is taken once a day for 4 weeks. After that, the dose is reduced to 1 tablet every 7 days. The product has a cumulative effect - after 4-5 days of use, a high concentration of the substance accumulates in the stratum corneum of the nail plate.
To prevent remission, the drug should be taken until the healthy nail plate has fully grown.
In rare cases, the drug causes side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, itching and burning in the areas affected by the fungus and various allergic reactions.
Medicine based on terbinafine hydrochloride 10 mg
It is an antifungal drug that is very effective against many types of fungal microorganisms. The active substance terbinafine inhibits the biosynthesis of sterols in fungal cells, which leads to the rapid death of infectious agents.
The drug is well tolerated by the body and has a minimal number of contraindications for use - severe forms of kidney disease, increased sensitivity to the active components included in its composition. Approved for use in liver disease.
For adults, it is recommended to take 1 tablet daily for 3-6 weeks. To cure an advanced stage of toenail fungus, the duration of the therapeutic course is increased to 10-12 weeks.
In extremely rare cases, it causes headache, nausea, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, allergic manifestations and skin rashes.
A drug based on ketoconazole
The substance ketoconazole is one of the most powerful antifungal agents. It is used for systemic fungal infections in severe, advanced stages.
It is recommended to use in case of complete damage to the nail plates, which also affects the nearby soft tissues. Also, the drug is prescribed if antimycotic drugs for local administration have not led to positive results.
Approved for use in liver disease, but best under medical supervision and regular liver tests.
The drug cannot be used to treat nail fungus in children under 12 years old, pregnant and lactating women, as well as in case of individual intolerance.
Side effects: attacks of nausea and vomiting, flatulence and abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, allergic skin rashes, apathy, nervousness, in men - temporary deterioration of libido.
The recommended dose for onychomycosis is 1-2 tablets per day depending on the severity of the fungal infection. The duration of therapy is 4-5 weeks.
Preparation based on itraconalose 0. 1 g
Itraconazole is used in inexpensive toenail fungus medications. It inhibits ergosterol in the cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms and has a detrimental effect on almost all known pathogens of nail fungus. Tablets containing intraconazole are used to treat fungal infections, regardless of the location and extent of the lesions.
The drug should not be used in case of exacerbation of kidney diseases, as well as in case of hypersensitivity to the active components included in its composition. In liver diseases, it is used in the period of remission.
A cheap and effective drug can cause negative reactions - development of dysbiosis, bloating, stomach pain, headache and dizziness. In rare cases, the drug can cause swelling of soft tissues.
For the treatment of nail onychomycosis, it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening for 10-12 weeks. After that, the drug is taken in weekly courses with a break of 2-3 weeks.
A medicine based on itraconalose
The antimycotic effect of the drug is provided by the active substance itraconazole. For fungal infections of the nails of the hands and feet, the drug is taken 2 tablets a day once or by dividing the dose into two doses. The duration of treatment is from 8 to 12 weeks.
At home, it can also be used for weekly therapy. After taking the tablets for 7 days, take a break of 3 weeks, after which the treatment continues. For fungal infections of the nail plates, at least 3 courses are required. Tablets are taken 2 times in the morning and in the evening.
The drug is well tolerated by the body. In rare cases, side effects may develop - nausea, constipation, allergic skin rashes, headache, loss of appetite, nervousness, feeling of fatigue, loss of strength. In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution.
Medicine based on itraconazole 100 mg
The antifungal drug contains the active substance itraconazole 100 mg, which has a destructive effect on fungal membranes and leads to the death of pathogenic microorganisms. It is a broad-spectrum drug, which is why it is prescribed in the advanced stage of onychomycosis.
The drug should not be taken in heart failure or low blood sugar levels. The drug should be taken with extreme caution if you have an intolerance to fructose.
For fungal infections of the nails, it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening, 20-30 minutes after a meal. The average course of treatment is 2-3 weeks. Reception is stopped only after healthy nail plates grow again.
Taking the drug can be accompanied by side effects - nausea, vomiting, stool disorder, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, skin rash. In some cases, women may experience menstrual irregularities. In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution.
Medicine based on ketoconazole 200 mg
It is a broad-spectrum drug with an antimycotic and antibacterial effect. The main active ingredient in the product is ketoconazole, which is highly effective against dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic and yeast fungal pathogens.
For the treatment of fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets throughout the day. The exact dose of the drug is determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease. The average duration of the therapeutic course is 12-15 weeks.
The drug should not be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as for the treatment of children under 3 years of age.
In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution. Tablets can cause negative reactions from the internal organs - stool disorder, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, drowsiness, loss of strength.
The use of the drug in men in some cases is accompanied by a decrease in sexual activity and deterioration of erectile function, which negatively affects intimate life.
A brief summary
Effective and inexpensive antifungal drugs produced in the form of tablets are used for fungal infections of the nail plates of various origins. They are prescribed when ointments, gels and other means for external application have not brought the desired results.
Broad-spectrum tablets are effective against most pathogenic microorganisms and fungal pathogens. The treatment of mycosis is long and complicated, the drug must be taken until the healthy nail plates grow again.
Effective antifungal drugs
Are your nails yellowing and peeling, do you have dandruff or thrush? These are all symptoms of a fungal infection, which means that treatment is indispensable. Let's talk with experts about what effective antifungal drugs exist and how to choose them correctly
Mycoses or fungal infections are a very common disease. Fungus usually affects the skin, mucous membranes and nails, but can also affect internal organs. Fortunately, effective antifungal drugs can deal with almost any disease. The main thing is to choose the right drug.
How to choose antifungal drugs
A trivial but correct answer is a consultation with a doctor who will make a diagnosis and prescribe medication. It is very easy to make a mistake in self-diagnosis, since fungal infections are similar in symptoms to many other diseases. For example, the same "thrush" can turn out to be bacterial vaginosis, which requires a completely different therapy. In addition, we must remember that long-term improper treatment worsens the course of the disease.
Fungal nail infections are the easiest to diagnose, although mistakes are possible here too. If you still treat yourself, keep in mind that ointments, gels and creams on the nails do not work, only liquids and varnishes. An important point that many do not take into account is that the affected part of the nail must be removed before applying the medicine. If this is not done, the drug simply will not reach the lesion. If the matrix (the area of active growth of the nail) is damaged, therapy with tablets and injections is necessary along with topical agents 4.
How to apply anti-fungal nail polish correctly
One of the important features of the use of antifungal agents is that the nail plate should be as clean as possible. To do this, fungal deposits are carefully removed using nail scissors. The nails themselves should be short, washed with laundry soap and treated with an alcohol solution.
The varnish is applied with a special brush included in the product set on completely dry nails. Avoid contact with surrounding skin. In this case, you must follow the instructions. To improve the effect of the varnish, it is recommended to wear light cotton socks during the entire course of treatment, changing them daily, and spacious shoes that do not squeeze the toes.
The most effective remedies for toenail fungus
Nail fungus requires treatment at the first signs of the disease. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and a course is started, the greater are the chances of successful removal of mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective nail fungus treatments, you need to choose the most suitable option.
How to choose an effective nail fungus treatment
Treatment of mycosis is a long process. Sometimes the dermatologist offers a choice of several options for drugs from the same pharmacological group. Given the cost of modern antifungal drugs, a course of treatment often costs a significant amount.
Therefore, in some cases, it may be advisable, after consultation with a doctor, to choose a cheaper analogue of the drug with the same active ingredient or similar in pharmacological properties. In order not to make a mistake when choosing, it is worth considering patient reviews of the most popular drugs.
Pharmaceutical drugs for nail fungus are divided according to the method of application:
- external preparations intended for local treatment of the affected surfaces (sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes);
- internal preparations have a systemic antimycotic effect on the whole organism (capsules, tablets).
Among the fungi, there are many pathogenic species, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after analysis. In advanced cases, the analysis may show several pathogenic fungi, and each of them will need its own medicine.
How to determine if your nails are affected by fungus
Nail fungus is characterized by inflammation, pain and swelling of the finger, as well as yellowing and crumbling of the nail itself. Nails appear deformed with inflamed skin and periungual border. There is delamination and brittleness of the nail, the fingers seem unsupported. In advanced cases, the tissue begins to die and expose the nail bed.
What groups of antifungals are there for nail fungus?
Among the mycoses, there are incurable diseases with a tendency to relapse. If you break the treatment regimen and stop the course as soon as the visible symptoms of the disease disappear, the lesion will return in an even more complex form and it will be much more difficult to get rid of it.
When treating with any medicine, even the most expensive, you cannot get by with just one pill, nail fungus requires time and patience.
It is not advisable to self-medicate, at the first signs of nail fungus you should visit a dermatologist.
Azole group
Antimycotics based on the active ingredients imidazoles and triazoles have a double effect:
- fungicidal - destroys the cells of the pathogen;
- fungistatic - destroy fungal spores and prevent their reproduction.
These products show good activity against yeasts, molds and yeast-like fungi. Medicines from the azole group are available in different forms: for oral administration - tablets and capsules, external forms - ointments, creams, varnishes, solutions.
Capsules and tablets are taken according to the prescription of the attending physician according to the recommended scheme. Usually this is a continuous course, but another treatment regimen planned for several months (up to six months) while healthy nails grow is possible. Ointments and creams are rubbed into the affected nail plates several times a day.
Before the treatment, you should first cut your nails at the root and make a bath with soda and soap for your feet.
Allylamine group
Medicines based on allylamines quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of fungal nail infections: burning and itching. The active substance is active against fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes, as well as molds; the pathogen is destroyed by destroying the membrane of their cells.
Creams and sprays are applied to the affected nails 1-2 times a day after hygiene procedures: nail cutting, soap bath, complete drying.
For local treatment, it makes sense to use drugs from the allylamine group if the pathogen affects less than half the surface of the nail plates and the matrix is not affected. Otherwise, systemic tablets are indicated to destroy the infection.
The drug should be rubbed into the surface, touching the surrounding skin.
Morpholine group
Drugs from the morpholine group contain amorolfine as the main active ingredient. The most convenient form of the drug from this group is considered to be a varnish.
The varnish is applied to the affected nails and is not removed for 1-2 weeks, a new layer is regularly applied over the old one.
Before applying the coating, the affected nail surface should be steamed, dried well and degreased. When treating nails with anti-fungal varnish, do not forget to observe strict hygiene measures: use only a disposable file, disinfect the spatula.
Preparations from the morpholine group show good effectiveness against various types of fungi, penetrate the nail plate and quickly begin to act. Until the nails are fully restored, the course of treatment can last 9-12 months.