
Amphotericin
Rapid Review
- Mechanism of Action: Anti-fungal; binds to ergosterol in fungal membranes and causes intracellular contents to leak out.
- Indications: used for severe or disseminated fungal infections (invasive aspergillosis, cryptococcal meningitis, blastomycosis, coccidiomycosis)
- Contraindications: allergy to class/drug
- Dosage: Dosage varies significantly based on formulation. Generally, a single test dosage (1 mg in 20 mL of 5% dextrose) is infused over 20-30 minutes with close monitoring. If tolerated, then give a single daily dosage of 0.25mg/kg.
- Half-life: Up to 14 days; depending on dosage
- Adverse Reactions: Associated with significant renal toxicity. May also cause fever, chills, muscle rigor, and hypotension
- Special Considerations: May cause hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. Should be supplemented with potassium and magnesium. IV fluids help minimize nephrotoxicity.
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Clotrimazole
Rapid Review
- Mechanism of Action: Azole antifungal; inhibits 14-alpha demethylase and reduces fungal cell membrane synthesis.
- Indications: Tinea infections (ringworm, jock itch, athletes foot), pityriasis versicolor, oropharyngeal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis
- Contraindications: Allergy to drug/class
- Dosage:
- Tinea infections: Topical 1% cream applied bid x 2-4 weeks
- Oropharyngeal infection: 10mg PO 5 times daily x 14 days
- Vulvovaginal infection: 1 applicator 2% PV qhs x 3 days
- Half-life: Unknown
- Adverse Reactions: Itching, nausea, vomiting.
- Special Considerations: Oral formulations may cause abnormal liver function tests in 10% of patients.
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Fluconazole
Rapid Review
- Mechanism of Action: Triazole antifungal; inhibits cytochrome P450 to prevent egosterol synthesis to increase cellular permeability.
- Indications: Vaginal, oropharyngeal, or esophageal candidiasis. Systemic candida infections.
- Contraindications: Allergy to drug/class, coadministration with drugs that prolong QT intervals
- Dosage:
- Vaginal candidiasis: Single 150mg dose PO
- Esophageal/oropharyngeal candidiasis: 100mg PO q daily x 2 weeks
- Half-life: 24 hours
- Adverse Reactions: GI symptoms (nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea), anaphylaxis, hepatotoxicity, QT prolongation
- Special Considerations:
- Fluconazole is an antifungal medication used to treat candidal infections (e.g. vaginal yeast infection), tinea as well as invasive fungal infections.
Pearls
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