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Therapies for onychomycosis: a review
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, (Sunnybrook Site), University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada. agupta@execulink.com
Dermatologic Clinics
|June 27, 2006
Summary
Onychomycosis, a chronic fungal nail infection, can be managed with surgical, chemical, topical, and oral treatments. This review highlights three FDA-approved systemic antifungal drugs: terbinafine, itraconazole, and griseofulvin.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a common and persistent fungal infection affecting toenails and fingernails.
- Treatment of onychomycosis presents challenges due to nail structure and drug penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment modalities for onychomycosis.
- To emphasize systemic antifungal therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of surgical, chemical, topical, and oral treatments for onychomycosis.
- Focus on systemic agents including terbinafine, itraconazole, and griseofulvin.
Main Results:
- Multiple treatment options exist for onychomycosis, ranging from local applications to systemic medications.
- Terbinafine, itraconazole, and griseofulvin are key FDA-approved systemic treatments.
Conclusions:
- Systemic antifungal therapy is a crucial option for moderate to severe onychomycosis.
- Understanding the efficacy and limitations of approved systemic drugs is vital for clinical practice.
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