Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal agent that is active against dermatophytes, which are responsible for the majority of onychomycosis cases. Consequently, liver enzyme levels and a complete blood count should be obtained before terbinafine is initiated and repeated every four to six weeks during treatment.
The FDA-labeled dosage of terbinafine is 250 mg per day given continuously for 12 weeks to treat toenail infections and for six weeks to treat fingernail infections. Studies have shown that the regimen for toenails results in a mycologic cure rate of 71 to 82 percent and a clinical cure rate of 60 to 70 percent.
This agent is notably less effective against nondermatophytes, including Candida species and molds. Because of its hepatic metabolism, terbinafine has several important drug interactions. Terbinafine should be discontinued if the aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase level becomes elevated to two or more times normal.
Although side effects are uncommon and resolve with discontinuation of the drug, adverse effects, including headache, rash and gastrointestinal upset, are reported more often with terbinafine than with placebo. Rare but serious complications, such as cholestatic hepatitis, blood dyscrasias and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported in patients treated with terbinafine.
Itraconazole is a newer triazole medication with a broad antifungal spectrum that includes dermatophytes, many nondermatophytic molds and Candida species. Itraconazole is also contraindicated for concomitant use with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, such as atorvastatin, because of the increased risk of rhabdomyolysis.
The FDA-labeled dosage of itraconazole is 200 mg once daily taken continuously for 12 weeks to treat toenail infections and for six weeks to treat fingernail infections. The FDA has labeled pulse therapy only for the treatment of fingernail infections. Pulse treatment consists of 200 mg taken twice daily for one week per month, with the treatment repeated for two to three months.
This dosage, given in three to four pulses, has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of toenail infections. Published studies have demonstrated similar success rates for continuous and pulse therapies, with mycologic cure rates ranging from 45 to 70 percent and clinical cure rates ranging from 35 to 80 percent.
Although hepatic toxicity is rare, headache, rash and gastrointestinal upset occur in about 7 percent of treated patients. Because itraconazole is metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 system, significant drug interactions can occur. Notably, concurrent use with quinidines and pimozide is contraindicated because of the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
In addition, itraconazole should not be taken with some benzodiazepines, such as midazolam and triazolam, because of exaggerated sedation and potential airway compromise. Increased gastric pH decreases the absorption of itraconazole. Therefore, the effectiveness of this antifungal agent can be decreased by histamine H2 blockers, and by proton pump inhibitors.
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By: bcured
About the Author:
staff of Nature Power Company, which is a network company dedicated to promoting customers’ websites and developing softwares. You can go to the following websites to learn more about our natural organic products. http://www.bcured.net http://www.naturespharma.org
