Effective antifungal agents for toenails

Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) requires long-term and complex treatment. Antifungal drugs in broad-spectrum tablets effectively fight against pathogenic microorganisms, remove the symptoms of the disease and improve the condition of the nails.

Classification of antifungal tablets

Tablets with antifungal activity differ depending on the structure and mechanism of action.They are divided into variants:

Polyenithey quickly destroy fungal spores by disrupting their membrane integrity. The body tolerates them well and they do not have a negative effect on the liver and digestive system.

For the treatment of fungal infection in the initial stage, external drugs are used - solution, varnish or cream, hydrogen peroxide.

It is recommended to treat fungus with tablets when ointments, creams, oils, sprays and other local remedies have not produced results.

Effective tablets for nail fungus

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

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 determine the nature of onychomycosis, because many drugs work only on a certain group of pathogens.

Medicine based on terbinafine hydrochloride

This is a tablet antifungal drug that has a pathogenic effect on pathogenic microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. It 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, disturbing stool, painful abdominal cramps.

With long-term use, you must 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 the 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 eliminate fungal infections, as well as for the purpose of prevention. It is allowed to be used in liver diseases, but under the supervision of a doctor.

Main contraindications for use:

  • kidney disease;
  • period of exacerbation of psoriasis and other dermatological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
  • pregnancy;
  • individual intolerance to the active components 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 stratum corneum of the nail plate.

To prevent remission, the drug must be taken until the healthy nail plate has fully 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 terbinafine hydrochloride 10 mg

This is an antifungal 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 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. For the treatment of advanced stages of toenail fungus, the duration of the therapeutic course is increased to 10-12 weeks.

In extremely rare cases, it causes headache, nausea, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, allergic manifestations and skin rashes.

Medicine based on ketoconazole

The substance ketoconazole is one of the most powerful antifungals. It is used for systemic fungal infections in severe, advanced stages.

Use is recommended for total damage to the nail plates, which also affects the nearby soft tissues. Also, the drug is prescribed if antimycotic drugs for local application have not given positive results.

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 of age, pregnant and lactating women, as well as individual intolerance.

Adverse effects: attacks of nausea and vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, allergic skin rash, apathy, nervousness, 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 itraconazole is used in cheap toenail fungus medicines. It inhibits ergosterol in the cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms and has a harmful effect on almost all known pathogenic nail fungi. Tablets containing intraconazole are used to treat fungal infections, regardless of the location and extent of the lesions.

The drug must not be used in case of worsening kidney disease, as well as hypersensitivity to the active components included in its composition. For liver diseases, it is used in the period of remission.

A cheap and effective drug can cause negative reactions - the development of dysbiosis, flatulence, 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.

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 drug is taken 2 tablets a day once or by dividing the dose into two doses. The duration of therapy is from 8 to 12 weeks.

At home, it can also be used for weekly therapy. After 7 days of taking the tablets, take a break of 3 weeks, after which the treatment is continued. 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 rash on the skin, headache, loss of appetite, nervousness, feeling of fatigue, loss of strength. In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution.

Medicine based on itraconazole 100 mg

The antimycotic 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 the advanced stage of onychomycosis.

The drug should not be taken in case of heart failure or low blood sugar level. The medicine should be taken with great caution if you have an 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 eating. The average course of treatment is 2-3 weeks. The reception is stopped only after the healthy nail plates grow back.

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 experience menstrual irregularities. In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution.

Medicine 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 very effective against dermatophytes, eumycetes, dimorphic and yeast fungal pathogens.

For the treatment of fungal nail diseases, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets during 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 medicine must not be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding or for the treatment of children under 3 years of age.

In case of exacerbation of liver disease, use with caution. Tablets can cause negative reactions of internal organs - upset stool, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, 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.

A brief summary

Effective and inexpensive antifungal 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.

Effective antifungal drugs

Are your nails yellow and peeling, do you have dandruff or have you been overcome by thrush? These are all symptoms of a yeast 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 foot fungus

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 deal 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 making a diagnosis, because the symptoms of fungal infections are similar 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 long-term inappropriate treatment worsens the course of the disease.

healthy nails without fungus

Fungal nail infections are the easiest to diagnose, although mistakes are possible here too. If you do get treatment, keep in mind that ointments, gels and creams on the nails do not work, only liquids and varnishes do. An important thing 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 nail growth) is damaged, therapy with tablets and injections is required along with local drugs 4.

How to properly apply anti-fungal nail polish

One of the important features of the use of antifungal drugs is that the nail plate should be as clean as possible. To do this, the fungal deposits are carefully removed using nail scissors. The nails themselves should be shortened, washed with laundry soap and treated with an alcohol solution.

The nail polish is applied with a special brush included in the product set on completely dry nails. Avoid contact with surrounding skin. In this case, it is necessary to follow the instructions. To enhance the effect of the varnish, it is recommended to wear light cotton socks during the entire treatment, changing them daily, and spacious shoes that do not squeeze the toes.

The most effective remedy for toenail fungus

Nail fungus requires treatment at the first signs of the disease. The sooner the problem is diagnosed and treatment is started, the greater the chances of successful treatment of mycosis with minimal consequences. Even among the most effective remedies 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 between several options for drugs from the same pharmacological group. Considering the cost of modern antifungal drugs, a course of treatment often costs a considerable sum.

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 your choice, it is worth considering patient reviews of the most popular drugs.

Pharmaceutical 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 organism (capsules, tablets).

Among the fungi, there are many pathogenic species, and the exact cause of the disease will be determined by the doctor after the 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 delamination and brittleness of the nail, the fingers appear undamaged. In advanced cases, the tissue begins to die and exposes the nail bed.

What groups of antifungal agents are there for nail fungus?

Among the mycoses, there are difficult-to-treat 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 one pill, nail fungus requires time and patience.

how to choose effective nail fungus remedies

It is not recommended to self-medicate, at the first sign of nail fungus you should visit a dermatologist.

Azole group

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

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

These products show good activity against yeasts, molds and yeast-like fungi. Medicines of the azole group are available in different forms: for oral use - tablets and capsules, external forms - ointments, creams, varnishes, solutions.

Capsules and tablets are taken according to the doctor's recommendation according to the recommended regimen. Usually it is a continuous course, but another treatment regimen is possible, which is planned 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.

nail fungus baths

Before the treatment, you must first trim the nails at the root and make a bath with soda-soap for the feet.

Allylamine group

Medicines based on allylamine quickly remove the unpleasant symptoms of fungal nail infection: burning and itching. The active substance is active against fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes, as well as molds, and the pathogen is destroyed by destroying the membrane of their cells.

Creams and sprays are applied to the affected nails 1-2 times a day after hygiene procedures: nail cutting, soap bath, thorough 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. Otherwise, systemic tablets are indicated to destroy the infection.

creams and ointments against toenail fungus

The medicine must be rubbed into the surface, touching the surrounding skin.

Morpholine group

Medicines from the morpholine group contain amorolphin as the main active ingredient. Lac is considered the most suitable form of medicine from this group.

using antifungal nail polish

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

Before coating, the affected nail surface should be scalded, dried well 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 show good effectiveness against various types of fungi, they penetrate the nail plate and start working quickly. Until the nails are completely restored, the course of treatment can last 9-12 months.