Do you sometimes get small rashes on your skin, itches, or your nails turn black and ugly? Maybe you've taken medication for a condition called "thrush." The cause of all of these is a microorganism called fungus. So today, let's talk about the medications that doctors prescribe for these fungal infections, which are antifungals.
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First, let's see, what are these fungi?
Simply put, fungi are a group of microorganisms that can be found anywhere in our environment. Just like the "pus" that forms on a piece of bread, these fungi also come in different forms such as yeast and mold. Their tiny spores can be found in the soil and even in the air.
Think about it, although this is surprising, some types of fungi naturally live in our bodies. For example, a type of yeast called Candida lives without any problems on our skin, in our digestive tract, and in women's vaginas. However, when these grow too much for some reason, infections occur.
Antifungals are drugs that are used to control fungal infections, destroy fungal cells, or stop their growth.
Who is at higher risk of developing fungal infections?
In fact, anyone can get a fungal infection. Most of the skin conditions we see are simple fungal infections. They are usually easy to treat.
However, if a person with a weakened immune system gets a fungal infection, it can be more serious. We call these types of infections opportunistic infections. That is, these infections take advantage of a weakened body. This condition is especially dangerous:
- For those suffering from AIDS
- For people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus
- For those undergoing treatment for cancer
- For those who have had organ transplants
- For those who have had bone marrow transplants (stem cell transplants)
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Check Availability →What infections are treated with antifungals?
Antifungals treat a wide range of conditions, from common skin conditions to serious, life-threatening infections. Let's break these down into two categories.
| Type of infection | Examples |
|---|---|
| Common skin and external infections |
|
| More serious systemic infections |
How does this medicine work?
There are several ways that antifungals work. Your doctor will choose the most suitable type of medication depending on the nature of the disease. Mainly:
- Destroying the fungal cell: Some drugs (e.g., Nystatin from the Polyenes group) damage the fungal cell wall and destroy it.
- Stopping the growth of fungi: Other drugs (e.g., Fluconazole from the azoles group) stop fungal cells from dividing, growing, and spreading.
- Attacking the fungal cell wall: Newer drugs (e.g. Micafungin from the Echinocandins group) interfere with the formation of the fungal cell wall and weaken it.
How to use fungicides
These medications come in different forms. Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate method depending on your condition.
- Topical: Applied to the skin in the form of creams, gels, lotions, and sprays.
- Oral medications: These are given as pills or liquids.
- Injections/IV: In severe infections, it is given intravenously (IV) or as an injection.
- Suppositories: These are inserted into the vagina for vaginal infections.
Do fungicides have side effects?
Like any medicine, antifungals can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Also, these vary depending on the type of medicine and the dosage.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Common side effects | - Stomach ache, stomach upset and diarrhea - Itching, burning, or stinging of the skin |
| Rare but serious side effects that require immediate attention | - Liver damage (yellowing of the eyes and skin - Jaundice) - Severe allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, facial swelling - Anaphylaxis) - Severe skin allergies that cause blisters and peeling skin |
Important: If you experience any of these serious side effects, stop taking the medicine immediately and see your doctor. Otherwise, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
A very important issue: Antifungal Resistance
This is something we all need to understand. Imagine a fungus that has become "smart" and finds a way to avoid the effects of the medicine we give it. It's like an enemy putting on armor that will withstand our weapons. Simply put, we call 'resistance' the inability of the medicine to control the fungus.
There are several main reasons why this happens:
- Not completing the prescribed period: If the doctor tells you to take the medication for 7 days, stopping the medication when the symptoms subside in about 3 days.
- Missed dose: Not taking medication on time.
- Underdosing: Taking a lower dose than prescribed.
- Unnecessarily prolonged use.
This resistance means that if you or someone else gets this fungal infection in the future, it will not be able to be cured with the usual medications. Therefore, you will have to use stronger, more expensive medications with more side effects.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Never use antifungal medications without consulting a doctor. Do not buy them from a pharmacy.
- Take the medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor, in the prescribed dosage. Even if your symptoms improve, take the medicine for the full duration prescribed.
- Never give medication prescribed for you to someone else, even if that person's symptoms are similar to yours.
- If you experience any serious side effects while taking the medication, inform your doctor immediately.
- Resistance to fungicides is a serious health problem. We can help prevent it by using the right medicines.
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