Mycosis, or fungus of the skin and nails, is one common disease that can affect people of all age groups. It is impossible to develop immunity to fungi, therefore mycoses continue to maintain a leading position among all skin problems. To date, more than 400 strains of fungi dangerous to humans are known. They are characterized by increased contagiousness and the ability to exert a pathogenic effect on the body for a rather long time. The best habitat for fungi is moist and warm surfaces, so people who often visit swimming pools, saunas and baths are under attack.
A characteristic of mycoses is their resistance to various therapeutic measures and drugs, which often leads to the development of complicated mycoses, in which specific complex treatment is required. Below we consider low-cost antifungal drugs.
Drug therapy of fungal pathologies
Medicines used in the treatment of mycoses are called antimycotics. This is an extensive range of medicines effective in combating fungus. Some of them are obtained from natural compounds, others through work in chemical laboratories. All preparations from the fungus are divided into several categories depending on:
- exposure to various strains of fungi;
- pharmacological composition.
All drugs have a number of contraindications and side effects, so the purpose and duration of admission is determined by a dermatologist.
When prescribing low-cost oral antifungal drugs, it is important to observe the duration and frequency of administration, to avoid omissions.
How do medicines work?
The action of antifungal agents is based on their fungicidal properties - the destruction of fungal spores and an obstacle to the development of pathogenic microflora. Antimycotic medication when ingested quickly penetrates the bloodstream and begins an attack on the fungus. The active substances are in an active state for a sufficiently long time, and then are excreted naturally. Different groups of drugs differ in their pharmacological action, which is due to the components of their compositions:
- Ketoconazole-based tablets that inhibit the development of fungal membranes and act at the cellular level.
- Remedies for mycoses with terbinafine and itraconazole, stopping the production of ergosterol, which prevents the growth of the fungus.
- Fluconazole-based drugs that destroy fungi.
- Tablets containing griseofulvin, which prevents the division and reproduction of spores.
It’s easy to find inexpensive antifungal preparations for the legs, it is enough to get a consultation with a doctor.
Categories of funds
Depending on the substances present in the drug, several categories of antimycotic drugs are distinguished. Their list includes:
- polyenes;
- allylamines;
- azoles;
- echinocandins;
- pyrimidines.
Polyenes
Inexpensive antifungal drugs of this group affect a large number of pathogenic fungi. The polyene group includes such funds:
- Levorin.
- "Nystatin."
- "Amphotericin B".
- Pimafucin or Nitamycin.
Using polyenes, candidiasis of the mucous membranes of the larynx, genitals, epithelium is eliminated, and they also fight against fungal pathologies of the stomach.
Nystatin is the cheapest medicine of the polyene group. It is effective in the treatment of Candida fungi of the skin, mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract, the development of which is the prolonged use of antibiotics or surgery.
"Levorin" is a modern antifungal agent, the action of which, in addition to fungi, also extends to amoeba, Trichomonas and Leishmania. This medicine is used for fungi of the skin and mucous membranes.
"Pimafucin" is a medicine of the polyene group with effects on the yeast Fusarium, Candida, Penicillium, Cephalosporium. The list of diseases in which this medication can be prescribed: candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, atrophic candidiasis while taking antibacterial agents and hormonal drugs. A remedy is allowed even in the treatment of diseases in pregnant women.
Azoles
The most inexpensive antifungal drugs in this category:
- "Ketoconazole."
- "Itraconazole".
- "Fluconazole."
Azoles are the best medicines for skin fungus, nail plates, effective against certain strains of lichen.
"Ketoconazole" - a tool whose active substance is imidazoldioxolan. The medication is prescribed in the fight against dermatophytes, yeast-like and dimorphic fungi. In tablet form, this drug is prescribed for folliculitis, chronic forms of candidiasis, dermatophytosis, multi-colored lichen. recurrent vaginal mycosis.
What inexpensive antifungal preparations for nails exist, it is better to find out in advance. "Itraconazole" is a synthetic antimycotic drug that is highly effective against a wide range of fungi. With the help of this tool, it is possible to defeat the following diseases: dermatomycosis, multi-colored lichen, vaginal and vulvid candidiasis, nail plate mycosis, keratomycosis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, histaplasmosis. It is forbidden to take medication during pregnancy and lactation.
"Fluconazole" is an antifungal drug that inhibits the growth of fungi and resists their replication. The medicine is effective in the treatment of such diseases: candidiasis of the respiratory tract, genitourinary system, digestive organs, eyes. It is prescribed for sepsis, meningitis (with Cryptococcus fungi), genital candidiasis, foot skin mycoses, damage to the nail plates, pityriasis versicolor, etc.
Remedy for severe forms of mycosis
The main drug used for advanced and complicated forms of fungal diseases is Griseofulvin. This remedy is effective against dermatomycetes, which is due to the natural origin of this antimycotic. This medication is considered the best medicine for fungal infections of the body. Therapy is effective even for the most complex forms of fungal disease. Such strains are susceptible to the drug: Trichophyton, Epydermophyton, Achorionum, Microsporum. The medicine “Griseofulvin” is used in the treatment of microspores of the epithelium, nails and hair, trichophytosis, dermatomycosis, epidermophytosis. It is not prescribed for patients under the age of 2 years, with cancer, pathologies of the blood and digestive organs, during pregnancy and lactation.
Below are inexpensive but effective antifungal drugs for the feet.
Preparations for external use
In the treatment of mycosis of the feet and nails, it is initially necessary to remove the keratinized and stratified epithelial layer. Keratolytic ointments, for example, have a good absorbable effect. Popular inexpensive antifungal preparations for nails in the form of a gel, cream and ointment:
- Seacorten.
- Sinalar K
- Triderm.
- "Lotriderm".
- "Travocort".
A good treatment option for onychomycosis is the application of special therapeutic varnishes - “Batrafen”, “Lotseril” to the nail plate. Such tools are able to penetrate into the deep layers of the nail and fight mycosis, forming a protective shell on the surface of the nail plate.
Local therapy of hair mycosis is based on washing the hair with antimycotic shampoos: Cinovit, Mikanisal, Sebiprox, Mycozoral.
Allylamines
What antifungal drugs are inexpensive but effective for the skin? The most famous drug from this pharmacological category is the drug "Terbinafine". It is produced in the form of tablets, ointments and spray. The drug exerts its therapeutic effect by suppressing squalene epoxidase in the cell membranes of fungi, which leads to ergosterol deficiency and intracellular accumulation of squalene, which causes the death of the pathogen. The drug also has a fungicidal effect on dermatophytes, some dimorphic, mold, yeast-like and yeast fungi.
Indications for its use are fungal skin lesions - trichophytosis, microsporia, epidermophytosis, as well as onychomycosis, candidiasis and multi-colored lichen.
Echinocandins
Inexpensive antifungal preparations for the skin can be purchased at any pharmacy. The mechanism of therapeutic action of echinocandins is based on fungistatic (suppression of the activity and growth of fungal cells) and fungicidal (destruction of pathogens) effects, which is realized due to the inhibition of the functional activity of enzymes responsible for the production of beta-glucans.
Antifungal medications from the echinocandin group:
- "Micafungin" is a medication that is available in dosage form for intravenous administration. It is prescribed in the treatment of severe candidiasis.
- "Caspofungin" is a medicine for parenteral administration.
"Anidulafungin" is a drug that is used for invasive candidiasis.
Other drugs
Let's look at some more inexpensive but effective antifungal products for nails and skin.
Dermatologists often prescribe the following medications:
- "Lamisil" is a Swiss medicine, the instructions for use of which indicate that it is an antifungal drug. Its active element, terbinafine, belongs to the category of allylamines, which have a wide spectrum of action relative to fungi. Infections are sensitive to it, causing damage to the skin, nails and hair. During the use of terbinafine in low doses, it has a fungicidal property with respect to some mold and dimorphic fungi and dermatophytes. This drug is available in tablets, spray and cream.
- "Chloronitrophenol" is a medication based on an organic compound that is actively used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the skin. The tool has antimycotic, antiparasitic and antimicrobial effects. The drug is used topically to treat skin affected by fungi. Basically, its properties extend to yeast-type microorganisms. The main substance has fungicidal properties. When used in high doses, this medication has an antibacterial effect, resists microorganisms of the gram-negative and gram-positive series, including proteins, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- What antifungal tablets are inexpensive but effective? "Diflucan" is an antifungal medication that comes in capsule form. The active substance of this agent is fluconazole, which belongs to the category of triazoles, has antifungal activity, based on pronounced selective inhibition of the sterol synthesis pathogen in the cell.
Reviews
There are a lot of antifungal agents on the shelves of pharmacies today. And among such a variety, it is often difficult for patients to choose the most effective, but at the same time, inexpensive anti-fungal drug. Among the drugs, there are tablets, and ointments, and sprays and various forms for administration to the blood, however, their pharmacological actions and cost are significantly different. Therefore, in the reviews they write that before treatment it is better to consult a doctor who will help you choose the right medication.
The most popular drugs from this category are medicines such as Fluconazole, Diflucan. The last drug can not be called cheap, but it is very effective. "Fluconazole" has a lower cost, but the spectrum of its action is somewhat limited compared to the medicine "Diflucan".
Inexpensive antifungal nail preparation “Lamisil” is also popular. Helps pretty quickly, suitable for many patients.