Invasive fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in with patients immune-compromised conditions such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes and burn patients, neonates, organ transplant patients. Therefore, treatment of fungal infections is still a major problem. The drugs used to treat these infections are very limited due to toxicity or inappropriate pharmacokinetic properties. Nowadays, there are 3 molecules class used in the clinical for these infections: poylnes, azoles and echinocandins. Amphotericin B and lipid formulations have been used for a long time in the treatment of these infections. The development of new triazole derivatives has provided different treatment options (Fluconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole). In addition, three echinocandin derivatives (Caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin) have been approved for use in medication. The broad-spectrum triazoles and echinocandin derivative drugs have offer more effective and less toxic alternatives to antifungal therapy. This review provides a brief of the pharmacologic principles and clinical usage involved in treatment of systemic fungal infections.
Key words: antifungal, fungus, parenteral, systemic
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