Effective antifungal agents for toenails

Fungal infection of the nails (onychomycosis) requires long-term and complex 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

Tablet drugs with antimycotic effects vary according to their structure and mechanism of action.They are divided into types:

Polyenesquickly destroys fungal spores by breaking 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 drugs are used - solution, varnish or cream, hydrogen peroxide.

If ointments, creams, oils, sprays and other local agents do not give any results, it is recommended to treat the fungus with tablets.

Effective tablets for nail fungus

The pharmacological market offers a wide variety of antifungal drugs in the form of tablets, which differ in the main active ingredient, manufacturer and cost.

Active ingredient:

  • Terbinafine hydrochloride
  • Fluconazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Ketoconazole
  • itraconazole
  • Griseofulvin
  • itraconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • Terbinafine
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When choosing a drug, you should consider the type of fungal infection and the severity of the disease. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to correctly determine the nature of onychomycosis, because 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 pathogenic microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. It contains an active ingredient of the same name. The product helps to destroy the outer membrane of fungal pathogens, which leads to its death.

Cheap tablets are used in the treatment of onychomycosis, dermophytosis and ringworm.Main contraindications:

  • Kidney failure;
  • children up to 3 years;
  • pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
  • hypersensitivity to terbinafine.

The drug can cause side effects - headache, nausea, loss of appetite, stool disorder, painful abdominal cramps.

With long-term use, it is necessary to systematically monitor liver function and stop drinking alcohol.

The recommended dose is 1 tablet per day. The duration of treatment is determined individually. In an advanced stage of onychomycosis, 8-12 weeks of use is allowed.

A drug from the group of triazole antifungal agents

An effective antifungal drug produced in various pharmacological forms. The drug is used to get rid of fungal infections, as well as for preventive purposes. It is allowed to use for liver diseases, but under the supervision of a doctor.

Main contraindications for use:

  • kidney diseases;
  • the 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. 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 completely 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 10 mg of terbinafine hydrochloride

It is an antimycotic drug that is highly effective against many fungal microorganisms. The active substance terbinafine inhibits the biosynthesis of sterols in fungal cells, which causes 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 per day for 3-6 weeks. To treat advanced stages of toenail fungus, the duration of the therapeutic course is increased to 10-12 weeks.

Very rarely, it causes headache, nausea, stomach fullness, allergic reactions and skin rashes.

A drug based on ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is one of the most powerful antimycotic agents. It is used for systemic fungal infections in severe, advanced stages.

It is recommended for general damage to the nail plate, which also affects the nearby soft tissues. Also, if antimycotic drugs for local use do not give positive results, the drug is prescribed.

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 cases of individual intolerance.

Side effects: nausea and vomiting attacks, foam and abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, allergic skin rashes, apathy, irritability, 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 is used in cheap drugs for itraconasal toenail fungus. It inhibits ergosterol in the cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms and has a harmful effect on almost all known pathogens of nail fungus. Tablets containing intraconazole are used for the treatment of 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 sensitivity to the active components included in its composition. It is used during remission for liver diseases.

A cheap and effective drug can cause negative reactions - the development of dysbiosis, bloating, stomach pain, headache and dizziness. In rare cases, the drug can cause swelling of soft tissues.

To treat nail onychomycosis, it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and evening for 10-12 weeks. After that, the drug is taken in weekly courses with an interval of 2-3 weeks.

A drug based on itraconazole

The antimycotic effect of the drug is provided by the active substance of itraconazole. For fungal infections of the nails and toenails, the drug is taken 2 tablets once a day or by dividing the dose into two doses. The duration of treatment is from 8 to 12 weeks.

It can also be used for weekly treatment at home. After taking the tablets for 7 days, take a break for 3 weeks, after which the treatment is continued. At least 3 courses are required for fungal infections of the nail plates. Two tablets are taken 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 rash, headache, loss of appetite, irritability, feeling of fatigue, loss of strength. Use with caution in case of exacerbation of liver diseases.

Itraconazole-based drug 100 mg

The antimycotic drug contains 100 mg of the active substance itraconazole, which has a destructive effect on fungal membranes and causes the death of pathogenic microorganisms. This is a broad-spectrum drug, so it is prescribed for advanced stages of onychomycosis.

The drug should not be taken in case of heart failure or low level of sucrose in the blood. If you have fructose intolerance, you should take the drug with extreme caution.

In the case of fungal nail infections, it is recommended to take 1 tablet 20-30 minutes after meals in the morning and evening. The average course of treatment is 2-3 weeks. Reception is stopped only after the growth of healthy nail plates.

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 have menstrual irregularities. Use with caution in case of exacerbation of liver diseases.

Medicine based on ketoconazole 200 mg

It is a broad-spectrum drug with antimycotic and antibacterial effects. The main active component of the product is ketoconazole, which is highly effective against pathogens of dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic and yeast fungi.

To treat fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets a 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 or for the treatment of children under 3 years of age.

Use with caution in case of exacerbation of liver diseases. Tablets can cause negative reactions from internal organs - stool disorders, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, drowsiness, loss of strength.

In some cases, the use of the drug in men is accompanied by a decrease in sexual activity and a deterioration of erectile function, which negatively affects intimate life.

A brief summary

Effective and inexpensive antimycotic drugs produced in the form of tablets are used for fungal infections of nail plates of various origins. Ointments, gels and other means for external application are prescribed if they do not give the desired result.

Broad-spectrum tablets are most effective against pathogenic microorganisms and fungal pathogens. The treatment of mycosis is long and complex, the drug must be taken until healthy nail plates grow.

Effective antifungal drugs

Are your nails yellow and peeling, do you have dandruff or suffer from thrush? All these are symptoms of a fungal infection, which means that treatment is indispensable. Let's talk to experts about what effective antifungal drugs are available and how to choose them correctly

symptoms of athlete's foot

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 treatment.

How to choose antifungal drugs

A trivial but correct answer is to see a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe medication. It is very easy to make a mistake in self-diagnosis, because fungal infections are similar to the symptoms of many other diseases. For example, the same "womb" can be bacterial vaginosis, which requires a completely different therapy. In addition, we must remember that long-term inappropriate treatment aggravates the course of the disease.

healthy nails without fungus

Fungal infections of the nails are the easiest to diagnose, although mistakes are possible here too. If you treat yourself, remember that ointments, gels and creams do not work on the nails, only liquids and varnishes. An important point that many people do not take into account is the removal of the affected part of the nail before applying the drug. If this is not done, the medicine will simply not reach the damaged area. If the matrix (the area of active growth of the nail) is damaged, therapy with tablets and injections along with local drugs is required 4.

How to apply anti-fungal varnish correctly

One of the important features of the use of antimycotics is to keep the nail plate as clean as possible. To do this, the cork beds are carefully removed using nail scissors. The nails themselves should be shortened, washed with laundry soap and treated with an alcohol solution.

Varnish is applied to completely dry nails with a special brush included in the product set. Avoid contact with surrounding skin. In this case, it is important to follow the instructions. To increase the effect of varnish, it is recommended to wear light cotton socks during the entire treatment period, change them daily and wear wide shoes that do not squeeze the toes.

The most effective remedies for nail fungus

Nail fungus requires treatment at the first signs of the disease. The sooner the problem is diagnosed and a course is started, the higher the chance of successfully getting rid of mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective remedies for nail fungus, you should choose the most suitable option.

How to choose an effective remedy for nail fungus

Mycosis treatment 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, the course of treatment often costs a significant amount.

Therefore, in some cases, after consulting a doctor, it may be advisable to choose a cheaper analogue of the drug with the same active ingredient or similar pharmacological properties. In order not to make a mistake in the choice, it is worth considering the reviews of patients about the most popular drugs.

Pharmacy drugs 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 whole body (capsules, tablets).

Among the fungi, there are many pathogenic species, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after conducting the analysis. In advanced cases, the analysis may show several pathogenic fungi, and each of them needs 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 are deformed by inflamed skin and periungual ridge. The nail has delamination and brittleness, the fingers look unkempt. In advanced cases, the tissue begins to die and expose the nail bed.

What groups of antifungal agents are available for nail fungus?

Among mycoses, there are incurable 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 complicated form and it will be more difficult to get rid of it.

When treated with any medicine, even the most expensive, you can't get away with just one pill, nail fungus requires time and patience.

how to choose effective remedies against nail fungus

Self-treatment is not recommended, you should consult a dermatologist at the first signs of nail fungus.

Azole group

Antimycotics based on the active substances of imidazole and triazoles have a double effect:

  • fungicide - destroys the cells of the pathogen;
  • fungistatic - destroys fungal spores and prevents their reproduction.

These products work well against fungi such as yeast, mold and yeast. Drugs of the azole group are available in various forms: for oral administration - tablets and capsules, external forms - ointments, creams, varnishes, solutions.

Capsules and tablets are 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) when healthy nails grow. Ointments and creams are applied to the affected nail plates several times a day.

baths for nail fungus

Before the treatment, you should first cut your nails 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.

After hygiene procedures, creams and sprays are applied to affected nails 1-2 times a day: cutting nails, soap bath, thorough drying.

For local treatment, if the pathogen affects less than half of the surface of the nail plates and does not affect the matrix, it is logical to use drugs from the allylamine group. Otherwise, systemic tablets are indicated to destroy the infection.

nail fungus creams and ointments

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. Lac is considered the most convenient form of the drug from this group.

using antifungal nail polish

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 should be steamed, thoroughly dried and degreased. When treating nails with antifungal varnish, be sure to follow strict hygiene measures: use only a disposable file, disinfect the spatula.

Preparations from the morpholine group have a good effect against various types of fungi, penetrate the nail plate and begin to act quickly. The course of treatment may last 9-12 months until the nails are fully restored.