Effective antifungal agents for toenails

Fungal nail infection (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 antifungal action differ depending on the structure and mechanism of action.They are divided into varieties:

Polyenesquickly destroy mold spores by breaking the integrity of their membrane. 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 in the initial stage, external medications are used - solution, spray or cream, hydrogen peroxide.

Treatment of fungus with tablets is recommended 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, different in the main active ingredient, manufacturer and cost.

Active substance:

  • Terbinafine Chloride
  • Fluconazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Ketoconazole
  • Itraconazole
  • Griseofulvin
  • Itraconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Natamycin

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, since 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. Contains the active substance of the same name. The product helps to destroy the outer membrane of fungal pathogens, which leads to its death.

Cheap tablets are used to treat onychomycosis, dermophytosis and ringworm.Main contraindications:

  • kidney failure;
  • children under 3 years old;
  • period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • hypersensitivity to terbinafine.

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

With long-term use, you should 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 get rid of fungal infections, as well as for preventive purposes. It is allowed to be used for liver diseases, but under the supervision of a doctor.

The 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 ingredients of fluconazole.

For the treatment of 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 corneum layer of the nail plate.

To prevent remission, the drug should be taken until the healthy nail plate has fully grown.

In rare cases, the medication causes side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, itching and burning in the areas affected by the mold and various allergic reactions.

A drug based on terbinafine hydrochloride 10 mg

This is an antifungal drug that is very 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 ingredients included in its composition. Approved for use in liver diseases.

For adults, it is recommended to take 1 tablet a day for 3-6 weeks. To cure the advanced stages of nail fungus, the duration of the therapeutic 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 rash.

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.

It is recommended to use for total damage to the nail plates, which also affects the soft tissues nearby. Also, the drug is prescribed if antifungal drugs for topical use have not brought positive results.

Approved for use in liver disease, but best under a doctor's supervision and regular liver tests.

The drug cannot be used for the treatment of nail fungus in children under 12 years old, pregnant and lactating women, as well as for individual intolerance.

Side effects: nausea and vomiting attacks, bloating and abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, allergic skin rash, apathy, irritability, in men - temporary deterioration of sexual desire.

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 medicines for 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 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 ingredients 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, headache and dizziness. In rare cases, the drug can cause swelling of soft tissues.

For the treatment of nail onychomycosis, it is recommended to take 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening for 10-12 weeks. After that, the drug is taken in weekly courses with a break of 2-3 weeks.

A medicine based on itraconalose

The antimycotic effect of the drug is provided by the active substance itraconazole. For fungal infections of fingernails and toenails, the medication is taken 2 tablets once a day or 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 the treatment continues. For fungal infections of the nail plates, at least 3 courses are required. Tablets are taken in 2 pieces, 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, nervousness, feeling of fatigue, loss of strength. In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution.

Drug based on itraconazole 100 mg

The antifungal 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 drug, 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 drug should be taken with extreme caution if you have intolerance to fructose.

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

Taking the drug can be accompanied by side effects - nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, loss of appetite, headache, 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 antifungal and antibacterial effects. The main active component in the product is ketoconazole, which is very effective against dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic pathogens and yeast fungi.

To treat fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets throughout the 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.

In case of exacerbation of liver diseases, use with caution. Tablets can cause negative reactions from internal organs - upset stools, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, drowsiness, loss of strength.

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

Brief summary

Effective and inexpensive antifungal drugs, produced in the form of tablets, are used for fungal infections of 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. Mycosis treatment is long and complex; the medicine should be taken until the 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 of these are symptoms of a fungal infection, which means that treatment is necessary. Let's talk with experts about which effective antifungal drugs exist and how to choose them correctly

symptoms of athlete's foot

Mycoses or fungal infections are a very common disease. Fungus usually affects 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 medicine.

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" can turn out to be bacterial vaginosis, which requires completely different therapy. In addition, we must remember that inappropriate long-term treatment worsens the course of the disease.

healthy nails without fungus

Fungal nail infections are the easiest to diagnose, although even here mistakes are possible. If you treat yourself, remember that ointments, gels and creams on the 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 medicine. If this is not done, the drug 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-mildew spray correctly

One of the important features of using antifungal agents is to keep the nail plate as clean as possible. To do this, the 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 increase the effect of the varnish, it is advisable to wear light cotton socks during the entire course of treatment, changing them every day, and spacious 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 greater the chances of successfully getting rid of mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective means for 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 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 a doctor, to choose 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 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 the local treatment of affected surfaces (sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes);
  • Internal preparations have a systemic antifungal effect throughout the body (capsules, tablets).

There are many pathogenic types among fungi, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after receiving an 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 fungus 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 a periungual ridge. There is distortion and fragility of the nail, the fingers look messy. In advanced cases, the tissue begins to die and exposes the nail bed.

What groups of antifungal agents are there 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 to an even more complex form and it will be much more difficult to get rid of it.

When treated with any medicine, even the most expensive one, you can't do it with just one pill, nail fungus takes time and patience.

how to choose effective nail fungus remedies

Self-medication is not advised; at the first sign of nail fungus, you should visit a dermatologist.

The azole group

Antimycotic agents based on imidazole and triazole active ingredients have a double effect:

  • fungicide - destroys pathogen cells;
  • fungistatic - destroy fungal spores and prevent their reproduction.

These products show good activity against yeasts, molds and yeast-like fungi. 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 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.

baths for nail fungus

Before the treatment, you should first cut the nails at the root and make a bath with soda soap for your feet.

Allylamine group

Medicines based on allylamine 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 mold; the pathogen is destroyed by destroying their cell membrane.

Creams and sprays are applied to the affected nails 1-2 times a day after hygienic procedures: nail cutting, soap bath, complete drying.

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

nail fungus creams and ointments

The medicine should be rubbed on the surface, touching the surrounding skin.

The morpholin group

Drugs from the morpholine group contain amorolfine as the main active ingredient. The most suitable form of the drug from this group is considered to be a spray.

using antifungal nail polish

The varnish is applied to the affected nails and is not consumed for 1-2 weeks; a new layer is regularly applied to the old one.

Before dressing, the affected nail surface should be steamed, thoroughly dried and drained. When treating nails with anti-fungal spray, be sure to adhere to strict hygiene measures: use only a disposable file, disinfect the spatula.

Preparations from the morpholine group show good efficacy against various types of fungi, penetrate the nail plate and begin to act quickly. Until the nails are completely restored, the course of treatment can last 9-12 months.