Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9683

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Publication type: Journal Article

Cha R, Sobel JD.
Fluconazole for the treatment of candidiasis: 15 years experience.
Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2004 Jun; 2:(3):357-66

Abstract:

Candidia spp. are responsible for contributing to the increasing global prevalence of fungal infections. Fluconazole (Diflucan((R)), Pfizer) is a triazole that has established an exceptional therapeutic record for candida infections including oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, candidemia and disseminated candidiasis. It is both an oral and parenteral fungistatic agent that inhibits ergosterol synthesis in yeasts. Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated fluconazole’s remarkable efficacy, favorable pharmacokinetics and reassuring safety profile, all of which have contributed to its widespread use. Fluconazole became the first antifungal with worldwide sales exceeding billions of dollars, therefore providing an incentive for the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antifungals. This review will examine the contributions and limitations of fluconazole in the treatment of superficial and invasive candidiasis syndromes.

Keywords:
Animals Antibiotic Prophylaxis Antifungal Agents/pharmacokinetics Antifungal Agents/pharmacology Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* Candidiasis/drug therapy* Candidiasis/microbiology Candidiasis/prevention & control Candidiasis, Oral/drug therapy Candidiasis, Oral/microbiology Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/microbiology Clinical Trials Female Fluconazole/pharmacokinetics Fluconazole/pharmacology Fluconazole/therapeutic use* Humans