Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) requires complex and long-term treatment. Antifungal drugs in broad-spectrum tablets effectively fight pathogenic microorganisms, eliminate the symptoms of the disease and improve the condition of the nails.
Classification of antifungal tablets
Drugs in tablets with antifungal action vary depending on the structure and mechanism of action.They are divided into varieties:
Polyenesthey rapidly destroy fungal spores by disrupting their membrane integrity. They are well tolerated by the body and have no negative effects on the liver and digestive system.
To treat a fungal infection at the initial stage, external drugs are used: solution, paint or cream, hydrogen peroxide.
It is recommended to treat fungi with compresses when ointments, creams, oils, sprays and other topical agents have not brought any results.
Effective tablets for 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 cost.
Active principle:
- Terbinafine hydrochloride
- Fluconazole
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Griseofulvina
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine
- natamycin
When choosing a drug, it is necessary to 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 an antifungal drug in tablets that has a pathogenic effect on pathogenic microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. Contains the active ingredient of the same name. The product helps to destroy the outer membrane of fungal pathogens, which leads to its death.
Inexpensive tablets are used to treat onychomycosis, dermophytosis and ringworm.Main contraindications:
- kidney failure;
- children under 3 years old;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
- hypersensitivity to terbinafine.
The drug can cause side effects: headache, nausea, loss of appetite, altered stools, painful abdominal cramps.
With long-term use, it is necessary to 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 an 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 and also for preventive purposes. Use for liver diseases is allowed, but under the supervision of a doctor.
Main contraindications for use:
- kidney disease;
- period of exacerbation of psoriasis and other dermatological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance to the active components of fluconazole.
To treat nail fungus, the drug is taken once a day for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the dosage 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 grows completely.
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.
A drug based on terbinafine hydrochloride 10 mg
This is a highly effective antifungal drug against many types of fungal microorganisms. The active ingredient 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 minimum 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 we recommend taking 1 tablet per day for 3-6 weeks. To treat advanced stages of toenail fungus, the duration of the treatment course is increased to 10-12 weeks.
In extremely rare cases it causes headache, nausea, 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 and advanced stages.
Use is recommended in cases of total nail damage, which also affects the surrounding soft tissues. Also, the drug is prescribed if topical antifungal drugs have not brought positive results.
Approved for use in liver disease, but best under the supervision of a doctor and regular liver tests.
The drug cannot be used to treat nail fungus in children under 12 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as 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
The substance itraconazal is used in cheap drugs for toenail fungus. It inhibits ergosterol in the cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms and has a detrimental effect on almost all known nail fungus pathogens. Intraconazole-containing tablets 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 hypersensitivity to the active components included in its composition. For liver diseases, it is used during the remission period.
A cheap and effective drug can cause negative reactions: the development of dysbiosis, bloating, stomach pain, headaches and dizziness. In rare cases, the drug can cause soft tissue swelling.
To treat onychomycosis of the nails it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening for 10-12 weeks. Subsequently, the drug is taken in weekly courses with a break of 2-3 weeks.
A drug based on itraconalose
The antifungal effect of the drug is provided by the active ingredient itraconazole. For fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails, 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 for 3 weeks, after which treatment is continued. For fungal nail infections, at least 3 courses are needed. Tablets are taken 2 pieces, morning and 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 tiredness, loss of strength. In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution.
Itraconazole-based medicine 100 mg
The antifungal drug contains the active ingredient itraconazole 100 mg, which has a destructive effect on fungal membranes and leads to the death of pathogenic microorganisms. It is a broad-spectrum medicine, which is why it is prescribed in the advanced stages of onychomycosis.
The drug should not be taken in case of heart failure or low levels of sucrose in the blood. The medicine should be taken with extreme caution if you suffer from fructose intolerance.
For fungal nail infections it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and evening, 20-30 minutes after meals. The average course of treatment is 2-3 weeks. Reception is stopped only after healthy nails grow back.
Taking the medicine may be accompanied by side effects: nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, skin rashes. In some cases, women may experience menstrual irregularities. In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution.
Ketoconazole-based medicine 200 mg
This is a broad-spectrum drug with antifungal and antibacterial effects. The main active component of the product is ketoconazole, which is highly effective against dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic fungal pathogens and yeasts.
To treat fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets throughout the day. The exact dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor based 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 or for the treatment of children under 3 years of age.
In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution. Tablets can cause negative reactions from internal organs: impaired stool, 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.
Short summary
Effective and inexpensive antifungal drugs, produced in the form of tablets, are used for fungal nail infections of various origins. They are prescribed when ointments, gels and other means for external application did not bring the desired results.
Broad-spectrum tablets are effective against most pathogenic microorganisms and pathogenic fungi. The treatment of mycosis is long and complex; the drug should be taken until healthy nails regrow.
Effective antifungal drugs
Are your nails yellowing and peeling, do you have dandruff, or are you overwhelmed by thrush? All of these are symptoms of a fungal infection, which means treatment is imperative. Let's talk to experts about what effective antifungal drugs exist and how to choose them correctly
Mycoses or fungal infections are a very common disease. Fungi usually affect the skin, mucous membranes and nails, but can also affect internal organs. Fortunately, effective antifungal drugs can cope with almost any disease. The main thing is to choose the right remedy.
How to choose antifungal drugs
A banal but correct answer is to consult a doctor, who will make a diagnosis and prescribe medications. It is very easy to make a mistake when diagnosing, because fungal infections are similar in symptoms to many other diseases. For example, the same "thrush" may turn out to be bacterial vaginosis, which requires completely different therapy. In addition, we must remember that long-term inappropriate treatment aggravates the course of the disease.
Fungal nail infections are the easiest to diagnose, although errors are possible here too. If you treat yourself, keep in mind that ointments, gels and nail creams 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 drug. If this is not done, the medicine simply will not reach the lesion. If the matrix (the active growth area of the nail) is damaged, therapy with tablets and injections along with local remedies 4 is necessary.
How to apply antifungal paint 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 cut short, washed with laundry soap and treated with an alcohol solution.
The nail polish is applied with the special brush included in the product kit on completely dry nails. Avoid contact with surrounding skin. In this case it is imperative to follow the instructions. To enhance the effect of the paint, it is recommended to wear light cotton socks throughout the treatment, changing them daily, and roomy shoes that do not squeeze the toes.
The most effective remedies against toenail fungus
Nail fungus requires treatment at the first signs of the disease. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and the course is started, the higher the chances of successfully eliminating mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective remedies against nail fungus, you need to choose the most suitable option.
How to choose an effective remedy for nail fungus
Treatment of mycosis is a long process. Sometimes a dermatologist offers a choice between several options for drugs from the same pharmacological group. Considering the price of modern antifungal drugs, a course of treatment often costs a considerable amount.
Therefore, in some cases, it may be advisable, after consulting a doctor, to select a cheaper analogue of the drug with the same active ingredient or similar in its pharmacological properties. In order not to make a mistake in the choice, it is worth taking into account patient reviews about the most popular drugs.
Medicines in the pharmacy for nail fungus are divided according to the method of application:
- external preparations intended for the local treatment of affected surfaces (sprays, ointments, creams, paints);
- internal preparations have a systemic antifungal effect throughout the body (capsules, tablets).
There are many pathogenic species among fungi, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after carrying out the 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 mycosis is characterized by inflammation, pain and swelling of the finger, as well as yellowing and crumbling of the nail itself. The nails appear deformed with inflamed skin and periungual ridge. There is delamination and brittleness of the nail, the fingers look unkempt. In advanced cases, tissue begins to die and expose the nail bed.
What groups of antifungal agents exist for nail fungus?
Among mycoses there are intractable diseases with a tendency to relapse. If you violate 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 dealing with any drug, even the most expensive, you cannot do with just one pill, nail fungus requires time and patience.
It is not advisable to self-medicate; At the first signs of nail fungus it is necessary to visit a dermatologist.
Azole group
Antifungal agents based on the active ingredients imidazoles and triazoles have a double effect:
- fungicide: destroys the cells of the pathogen;
- fungistatic: destroys fungal spores and prevents them from reproducing.
These products show good activity against yeasts, molds and yeast-like fungi. Drugs of the azole group are available in different forms: for oral administration - tablets and capsules, external forms - ointments, creams, paints, solutions.
Capsules and tablets are taken as prescribed by the attending physician according to the recommended regimen. Usually this is a continuous course, but another treatment regimen is possible, scheduled for several months (up to six months) while healthy nails grow. Ointments and creams are rubbed into the affected nails several times a day.
Before treatment, you must first cut your nails at the root and take a soda soap bath for your feet.
Allylamine group
Medicines based on allylamines quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of fungal nail infections: burning and itching. The active ingredient is active against fungi of the Candida genus, dermatophytes and 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 trimming, soap bath, thorough drying.
For local treatment, it makes sense to use drugs from the allylamine group if the pathogen affects less than half of the nail surface and the matrix is not affected. Otherwise, systemic tablets are indicated to destroy the infection.
The medicine should be rubbed into the surface, touching the surrounding skin.
Morpholine group
Medicines 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 paint.
The varnish is applied to the affected nails and is not worn off for 1-2 weeks, a new layer is regularly applied to the old one.
Before coating, the affected surface of the nails must be steamed, dried well and degreased. When treating nails with antifungal varnish, be sure to comply with strict hygiene measures: use only a disposable file, disinfect the spatula.
Preparations from the morpholine group show good effectiveness against a variety of types of fungi, penetrate the nail plate and quickly begin to act. Until the nails are completely restored, the course of treatment can last 9-12 months.