Medications and treatment of candidiasis

Candidiasis is an infectious disease accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes and skin, which is caused by fungi of the genus Candida.

Yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida belong to conditionally pathogenic microorganisms — these are natural inhabitants that are present in the normal microflora of the vagina, intestines and oral cavity in small quantities. The growth and reproduction of fungi are normally controlled by "beneficial" lactobacilli and various immune mechanisms. However, when adverse factors occur that lead to a decrease in the number of lactobacilli in the vagina, active growth and reproduction of fungi occurs.

Antifungal agents are used to treat candidiasis of any localization. Medications are systemic (taken orally) — they are produced in the form of tablets for oral administration, and local drugs that are applied / injected directly into the lesion, read more here:  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1075227-medication  . The preparations are available in the form of vaginal candles, irrigation solutions and creams.

Antifungal agents differ in chemical structure, mechanism of action and therapeutic effect:

- Imidazoles (e.g. sertaconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole)

- Triazoles (fluconazole, itraconazole)

- Polyenes (nystatin, natamycin)

- Other groups (povidone-iodine)

Since many drugs have been used in the treatment of candidiasis for a long time, many subspecies of Candida fungi have become insensitive to the treatment. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the possibility of using antifungal drugs with the greatest effectiveness and a structure to which it will be difficult for fungi to adapt.

One of the most widely used drugs that meet all the basic modern safety and efficacy requirements are medicines based on sertaconazole.