Fenticonazole is an

imidazole Imidazole (ImH) is an organic compound with the formula C3N2H4. It is a white or colourless solid that is soluble in water, producing a mildly alkaline solution. In chemistry, it is an aromatic heterocycle, classified as a diazole, and has non ...

antifungal drug An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis (thrush), serious systemic infections such as ...

, used locally as the nitrate in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. It is active against a range of organisms including dermatophyte pathogens, '' Malassezia furfur'', and ''

Candida albicans ''Candida albicans'' is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a common member of the human gut flora. It can also survive outside the human body. It is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth in 40–60% of healthy adults. It is usu ...

''. Fenticonazole has also been shown to exhibit

antibacterial An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention ...

action, with a spectrum of activity that includes

bacteria Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were am ...

commonly associated with superinfected fungal skin and vaginal infections, and

antiparasitic Antiparasitics are a class of medications which are indicated for the treatment of parasitic diseases, such as those caused by helminths, amoeba, ectoparasites, parasitic fungi, and protozoa, among others. Antiparasitics target the parasitic age ...

action against the protozoan

Trichomonas vaginalis ''Trichomonas vaginalis'' is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of a sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis. It is the most common pathogenic protozoan that infects humans in industrialized countri ...

Uses and administration

A 200 mg pessary is inserted into the vagina at bedtime for 3 nights or a 600 mg pessary is inserted once only at bedtime. Fenticonazole Nitrate vaginal capsule is not greasy, does not soil and can easily be removed with water. Fenticonazole nitrate is also applied topically as a 2% cream or solution for the treatment of fungal skin infections.

Pregnancy and lactation

Oral administration of Fenticonazole in rats has been reported to produce prolonged gestation and embryotoxic effects after doses above 40mg/kg/day. Fenticonazole does not interfere with the function of male and female gonads and does not modify the first phases of reproduction. Fenticonazole has shown no teratogenic effects in rats and rabbits. Fenticonazole or its metabolites cross the placental barrier in pregnant rats and rabbits after vaginal application and are excreted in milk of lactating rats. Since there is no experience of use during pregnancy or lactation, Fenticonazole Nitrate vaginal capsules should not be used unless the physician considers if essential to the welfare of the patient.

Adverse effects

Burning and itching have been reported after the application of fenticonazole nitrate. Intravaginal preparations of fenticonazole may damage latex contraceptives and additional contraceptive measures are therefore necessary during local administration.

Uses and administration

Pregnancy and lactation

Adverse effects

References

Further reading