Updates in Ocular Antifungal Pharmacotherapy: Formulation and Clinical Perspectives

Purpose of Review In this review, a compilation on the current antifungal pharmacotherapy is discussed, with emphases on the updates in the formulation and clinical approaches of the routinely used antifungal drugs in ocular therapy. Recent Findings Natamycin (Natacyn® eye drops) remains the only ap...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current fungal infection reports 2019-06, Vol.13 (2), p.45-58
Main Authors: Thakkar, Ruchi, Patil, Akash, Mehraj, Tabish, Dudhipala, Narendar, Majumdar, Soumyajit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphotericin B
Azoles
Drug therapy
Echinocandins
Endophthalmitis
Fungal infections
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Natamycin
Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine
Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics of Antifungal Agents (N Beyda
Pneumology/Respiratory System
Section Editor
Topical Collection on Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics of Antifungal Agents
Tropical Medicine
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose of Review In this review, a compilation on the current antifungal pharmacotherapy is discussed, with emphases on the updates in the formulation and clinical approaches of the routinely used antifungal drugs in ocular therapy. Recent Findings Natamycin (Natacyn® eye drops) remains the only approved medication in the management of ocular fungal infections. This monotherapy shows therapeutic outcomes in superficial ocular fungal infections, but in case of deep-seated mycoses or endophthalmitis, successful therapeutic outcomes are infrequent, as a result of which alternative therapies are sought. In such cases, amphotericin B, azoles, and echinocandins are used off-label, either in combination with natamycin or with each other (frequently) or as standalone monotherapies, and have provided effective therapeutic outcomes. Summary In recent times, amphotericin B, azoles, and echinocandins have come to occupy an important niche in ocular antifungal pharmacotherapy, along with natamycin (still the preferred choice in most clinical cases), in the management of ocular fungal infections.
ISSN:1936-3761
1936-377X
DOI:10.1007/s12281-019-00338-6