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AntifungalsAntifungals

Antifungals treat specific fungal or yeast infections. A rash or nail change is not always fungal, so the site, severity and diagnosis determine whether a topical or oral medicine is appropriate.

Diflucan

Fluconazole

50 · 100 · 150 · 200mg

Fluconazole capsules and oral solution from 50mg to 200mg, used in the management of candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis. A triazole antifungal.

From$1.16/ tabletView

Lamisil

Terbinafine

250mg

Terbinafine 250mg tablets, used for tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and onychomycosis. An allylamine that blocks squalene epoxidase.

From$3.12/ tabletView

Nizoral

Ketoconazole

200mg

Ketoconazole 200mg tablets, used in the management of Cushing's syndrome and severe systemic fungal infection. An imidazole blocking ergosterol synthesis.

From$2.01/ tabletView

Grisactin

Griseofulvin

250mg

Griseofulvin 250mg tablets, used for dermatophytosis. It settles into keratin precursor cells, which then resist fungal invasion as they grow out.

From$0.56/ tabletView

Sporanox

Itraconazole

100mg

Itraconazole 100mg hard capsules, used for candidiasis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis and tinea. A triazole that blocks fungal cytochrome P450 enzymes.

From$5.00/ tabletView

Fulvicin

Griseofulvin

250mg

Griseofulvin 250mg tablets, used for dermatophytosis, tinea capitis, tinea corporis and onychomycosis. It deposits in keratin precursor cells.

From$0.54/ tabletView

Lotrisone

Betamethasone, Clotrimazole

10g

Betamethasone with clotrimazole as a cream in a 10g tube, applied for fungal skin infection and dermatosis. An antifungal alongside a corticosteroid.

From$6.06/ tubeView

Grifulvin V

Griseofulvin

250mg

Grifulvin V is griseofulvin 250mg tablets for tinea capitis, tinea corporis and tinea pedis. It binds microtubular proteins and disrupts the mitotic spindle.

From$0.72/ tabletView

Grifulvin

Griseofulvin

250mg

Griseofulvin 250mg tablets, used for dermatophytosis, tinea capitis, tinea corporis and tinea pedis. It binds tubulin, so fungal cells stop dividing.

From$0.54/ tabletView

Vfend

Voriconazole

200mg

Voriconazole 200mg film-coated tablets, used for invasive aspergillosis, candidaemia and oesophageal candidiasis. A triazole antifungal.

From$31.20/ tabletView

Lomexin

Fenticonazole

600mg

Fenticonazole 600mg suppositories for vaginal candidiasis, an imidazole antifungal placed vaginally rather than taken by mouth.

From$13.64/ suppositoryView

Lomexin Cream

Fenticonazole

30g

Lomexin Cream is fenticonazole in a 30g tube for candidiasis, applied to the skin. It blocks ergosterol synthesis in the fungal cell membrane.

From$25.50/ tubeView

Key points

  • Topical antifungals are commonly used for limited skin infections, while scalp, nail or widespread disease may need clinical assessment and oral treatment.
  • Oral antifungals can interact with other medicines and may require liver or other safety checks.
  • A painful, rapidly spreading or treatment-resistant rash should be assessed rather than repeatedly treated as a fungal infection.

Listings are for comparison and general information; suitability and supply depend on the diagnosis and clinician or pharmacy checks where required.

How the medicine groups differ

Topical medicines such as ketoconazole and fenticonazole act at the treated site. Oral agents such as terbinafine, itraconazole and griseofulvin reach deeper or harder-to-treat sites but have more systemic interactions and precautions.

What antifungals are used for

This category includes medicines used for tinea corporis, tinea pedis, candidiasis and tinea capitis. The correct treatment can differ by body site and organism; scalp and nail infections may need testing.

Important safety checks

Pregnancy, liver disease, heart conditions and other medicines can affect antifungal choice. Avoid combining an antifungal with a steroid cream unless a clinician has advised it, because steroids can alter the appearance or worsen some infections.

When to seek urgent care

Get prompt medical care for fever, severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, facial or eye involvement, extensive blistering, or infection in a person with a weakened immune system. Seek urgent advice for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe abdominal symptoms while taking an oral antifungal.

Further reading

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