Abstract
Over the past 15 years, oral azole drugs have been increasingly utilized as alternatives
to amphotericin B for the therapy of many common systemic fungal infections. In general,
the azoles, especially the triazoles (itraconazole and fiuconazole) are better tolerated
and more effective than the imidazoles (miconazole and ketoconazole). Two areas of
potential limitations are the frequent interactions of azoles with coadministered
drugs, resulting in adverse clinical consequences, and the emerging problem of microbiologic
and clinical resistance, especially to fluconazole. Here, the azoles will be reviewed
with regard to mechanism of action, pharmacology, toxicity and drug interaction profiles,
clinical indications, role in prophylaxis, and concerns about resistance.
Key Words:
azoles - mycoses - antifungal therapy
