Imidazoles Health Dictionary

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Imidazoles: From 1 Different Sources

A group of antifungal drugs active against a wide range of fungi and yeasts (see FUNGAL AND YEAST INFECTIONS). Some are also e?ective against bacteria and HELMINTHS. Econazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, ?uconazole and itraconazole are examples: the drugs are given by mouth or externally as creams.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Clotrimazole

A drug of the IMIDAZOLES group used to treat fungal infections of the skin and vagina.... clotrimazole

Fungal And Yeast Infections

These infections, also called mycoses (see MYCOSIS), are common and particularly affect the skin or mucosal membranes in, for example, the mouth, anus or vagina. Fungi consist of threadlike hyphae which form tangled masses or mycelia – common mould. In what is called dermatophyte (multicellular fungi) fungal infection of the hair, nails and SKIN, these hyphae invade the KERATIN. This is usually described as ‘RINGWORM’, although no worm is present and the infection does not necessarily occur in rings. PITYRIASIS versicolor and candidosis (monoliasis – see CANDIDA), called thrush when it occurs in the vulva, vagina and mouth, are caused by unicellular fungi which reproduce by budding and are called yeasts. Other fungi, such as ACTINOMYCOSIS, may cause deep systemic infection but this is uncommon, occurring mainly in patients with immunosuppressive disorders or those receiving prolonged treatment with ANTIBIOTICS.

Diagnosis and treatment Any person with isolated, itching, dry and scaling lesions of the skin with no obvious cause – for example, no history of eczema (see DERMATITIS) – should be suspected of having a fungal infection. Such lesions are usually asymmetrical. Skin scrapings or nail clippings should be sent for laboratory analysis. If the lesions have been treated with topical steroids they may appear untypical. Ultraviolet light ?ltered through glass (Wood’s light) will show up microsporum infections, which produce a green-blue ?uorescence.

Fungal infections used to be treated quite e?ectively with benzoic-acid compound ointment; it has now been superseded by new IMIDAZOLES preparations, such as CLOTRIMAZOLE, MICONAZOLE and terbina?ne creams. The POLYENES, NYSTATIN and AMPHOTERICIN B, are e?ective against yeast infections. If the skin is macerated it can be treated with magenta (Castellani’s) paint or dusting powder to dry it out.

Refractory fungal infection can be treated systematically provided that the diagnosis of the infection has been con?rmed. Terbina?ne, imidazoles and GRISEOFULVIN can all be taken by mouth and are e?ective for yeast infections. (Griseofulvin should not be taken in pregnancy or by people with liver failure or porphyria.) (See also FUNGUS; MICROBIOLOGY.)... fungal and yeast infections

Ketoconazole

An imidazole (see IMIDAZOLES) antifungal drug available for both oral and topical use. Better absorbed orally than other imidazoles, it also has an anti-androgen e?ect which may give rise to GYNAECOMASTIA and IMPOTENCE in men. In view of its potential hepatotoxicity it should not be given orally for trivial infections, but reserved instead for SYSTEMIC fungal infections (see FUNGAL AND YEAST INFECTIONS).... ketoconazole

Miconazole

One of the IMIDAZOLES group of antifungals which includes clotrimazole and ketoconazole. Active against a wide range of fungi and yeasts, their main indications are vaginal candidiasis and dermatophyte skin infections. Miconazole is used as a cream or ointment; it may also be given orally (for oral or gastrointestinal infections), or parenterally (for systemic infections such as aspergillosis or candidiasis). (See MYCOSIS.)... miconazole

Antifungal

(antimycotic) adj. describing a drug that kills or inactivates fungi and is used to treat fungal (including yeast) infections. Antifungal drugs include *amphotericin, *griseofulvin, the *imidazoles, *itraconazole, *nystatin, and *terbinafine.... antifungal

Candidiasis

(candidosis) n. a common *yeast infection of moist areas of the body, usually caused by *Candida albicans. It is especially common in the vagina, where it is known as thrush, but is also found in the mouth and skin folds. On the skin, the lesions are bright red with small satellite pustules, while in the mouth candidiasis appears as white patches on the tongue or inside the cheeks. In the vagina it produces itching and sometimes a thick white discharge. Candidiasis may develop in patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics as well as in those who are *immunocompromised. Topical, intravaginal, or oral therapy with *imidazoles is effective; oral *nystatin helps to reduce candidal infection of the bowel.... candidiasis

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