Fungal infection of the nails (onychomycosis) requires long-term and complex treatment. Antifungal drugs in broad-spectrum tablets effectively fight pathogenic microorganisms, eliminate symptoms of the disease and improve the condition of nails.
Classification of antifungal tablets
Tablet drugs with antimycotic action vary depending on the structure and mechanism of action.They are divided into varieties:
Polyenesquickly destroy fungal spores by disrupting their membrane integrity. They are well tolerated by the body and do not have a negative effect on the liver and digestive system.
To treat a fungal infection at the initial stage, external medications are used - solution, varnish or cream, hydrogen peroxide.
It is recommended to treat fungus with tablets 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 medications in the form of tablets, differing in the main active ingredient, manufacturer and cost.
Active substance:
- Terbinafine hydrochloride
- Fluconazole
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine
- Natamycin
When choosing a drug, you must 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 medications affect only a certain group of pathogens.
A drug based on terbinafine hydrochloride
This is a tableted antifungal drug that has a pathogenic effect on pathogenic microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. Contains the active substance 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:
- renal failure;
- children under 3 years old;
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- hypersensitivity to terbinafine.
The drug may cause side effects - headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, upset stool, painful abdominal cramps.
With long-term use, you need to systematically monitor liver function and stop drinking alcoholic beverages.
The recommended dosage is 1 tablet per day. The duration of treatment is determined individually. At an advanced stage of onychomycosis, use is allowed for 8-12 weeks.
A drug from the group of triazole antifungal agents
An effective medication with antifungal action, produced in various pharmacological forms. The drug is used to get rid of fungal infections, as well as for prevention purposes. It is allowed to use for liver diseases, but under the supervision of a doctor.
Main contraindications for use:
- kidney diseases;
- period of exacerbation of psoriasis and other dermatological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance to the active components in Fluconazole.
To treat nail fungus, the drug is taken once a day for 4 weeks. After this, 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 must 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 areas affected by the fungus, and various allergic reactions.
A drug based on terbinafine hydrochloride 10 mg
This is an antimycotic drug that is highly 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 diseases.
For adults, it is recommended to take 1 tablet per day for 3-6 weeks. To cure advanced stages of toenail fungus, the duration of the therapeutic course is increased to 10-12 weeks.
In extremely rare cases, it causes headaches, 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 antimycotic agents. It is used for systemic fungal infections in severe, advanced stages.
Use is recommended for total damage to the nail plates, which also affects nearby soft tissues. Also, the medication is prescribed if antimycotic drugs for topical use have not brought positive results.
Approved for use for liver diseases, 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 lactating 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 dosage 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 inexpensive medications for toenail fungus. 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 hypersensitivity to the active components included in its composition. For liver diseases, it is used during the period of remission.
A cheap and effective medication can cause negative reactions - the development of dysbiosis, bloating, pain in the stomach, headaches and dizziness. In rare cases, the drug may cause swelling of the soft tissues.
To treat onychomycosis of nails, it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and evening for 10-12 weeks. After this, the drug is taken in weekly courses with a break of 2-3 weeks.
A drug based on itraconalose
The antimycotic effect of the drug is provided by the active substance itraconazole. For fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails, the medication is taken 2 tablets per day once, or by dividing the dosage 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 infections of the nail plates, at least 3 courses are required. 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, headaches, loss of appetite, nervousness, feeling tired, loss of strength. In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution.
Itraconazole-based drug 100 mg
The antimycotic 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 medicine, which is why it is prescribed for 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 have 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 nail plates grow back.
Taking the medicine may be accompanied by side effects - nausea, vomiting, stool upset, loss of appetite, headaches, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, skin rash. In some cases, women may experience menstrual irregularities. In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution.
Drug based on ketoconazole 200 mg
This is a broad-spectrum drug with antimycotic and antibacterial effects. The main active component in the product is ketoconazole, which is highly effective against dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic and yeast fungal pathogens.
To treat fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets throughout the day. The exact dosage of the medication 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, or 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 internal organs - upset 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.
Brief summary
Effective and inexpensive antimycotic 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. Treatment of mycosis is long and complex; the drug must be taken until healthy nail plates grow back.
Effective antifungal drugs
Do your nails turn yellow and peel, do you have dandruff, or are you overcome by thrush? All these are symptoms of a fungal infection, which means treatment is indispensable. 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 trivial but correct answer is to consult a doctor, who will make a diagnosis and prescribe medication. It is very easy to make a mistake when diagnosing yourself, 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 mistakes are possible here too. If you do treat yourself, keep in mind that ointments, gels and creams on 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 drug. If this is not done, the medicine 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 required along with local remedies 4.
How to apply anti-fungal varnish correctly
One of the important features of the use of antimycotic 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 varnish is applied with a 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 varnish, it is advisable to wear light cotton socks during the entire course of treatment, changing them daily, and spacious shoes that do not squeeze your toes.
The most effective remedies for toenail fungus
Nail fungus requires treatment at the first signs of the disease. The sooner the problem is diagnosed and a course is started, the greater the chances of successfully getting rid of mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective remedies for nail fungus, you have 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 of 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 with 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 choosing, it is worth taking into account patient reviews about the most popular drugs.
Pharmacy medicines for nail fungus are divided according to the method of application:
- external preparations intended for local treatment of affected surfaces (sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes);
- internal preparations have a systemic antimycotic effect on the entire body (capsules, tablets).
There are many pathogenic species among fungi, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after taking an analysis. In advanced cases, 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 a 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 treated with any drug, even the most expensive, you cannot get by with just a single pill, nail fungus requires time and patience.
It is not advisable to self-medicate; at the first sign of nail fungus, you should visit a dermatologist.
Azole group
Antimycotic agents 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 them from reproducing.
These products show good activity against yeast, mold and yeast-like fungi. Azole group drugs are available in different forms: for oral administration - tablets and capsules, external forms - ointments, creams, varnishes, 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 nail plates several times a day.
Before treatment, you first need to trim your nails at the root and make 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 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 affected nails 1-2 times a day after hygiene procedures: cutting nails, soap bath, thorough 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 medicine must 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 varnish.
The varnish is applied to the affected nails and does not wear 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 anti-fungal varnish, be sure to adhere to 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.