Antifungals
Antifungal medicines treat fungal infections. Fungus in the soil, air and on your skin can cause yeast infections, ringworm, and nail and skin infections. Breathing in fungal spores can lead to respiratory illnesses. People who have weak immune systems are more prone to fungal infections that require antifungal medicine.
How do antifungal medications work?
Antifungal medicines can kill a fungus. Or they may stop it from multiplying or growing. There are several classes of antifungal medications and different types of medicines. Your healthcare provider will select the best prescription medicine. Or they may guide you to an effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatment. Options include:
- Azoles (fluconazole or Diflucan®), synthetic (human-made) antifungals that keep fungi from growing.
- Echinocandins (micafungin or Mycamine®), newer semi-synthetic antifungals that attack and damage the fungus wall.
- Polyenes (nystatin or Bio-Statin®), organic (naturally occurring) antifungal treatments that destroy the fungus cell.
