Nc. Karyotakis et Ej. Anaissie, THE NEW ANTIFUNGAL AZOLES - FLUCONAZOLE AND ITRACONAZOLE, Current opinion in infectious diseases, 7(6), 1994, pp. 658-666
The armamentarium against severe mycoses was recently enriched with th
e triazole antifungals. The ease of administration and the favorable t
oxicity profile, coupled with increasing evidence of therapeutic effic
acy against a broad spectrum of fungal organisms, make fluconazole and
itraconazole valuable agents in the management of fungal infections.
Fluconazole prevents superficial and invasive mycoses in patients at r
isk, and recent studies have proved its efficacy in the treatment of c
andidiasis and cryptococcosis. Itraconazole has activity against Asper
gillus and is useful in suppressing disseminated histoplasmosis in pat
ients with AIDS. The positive impact of the new triazoles in the outco
me of patients with, or at risk of, fungal infections is clearly shown
from available data. Results of ongoing and future clinical trials wi
ll better determine their indications and their optimal dose schedules
.