antifungal drugs, topical

Nystatin (Mycostatin™, Nilstat™, Nystex™) is the oldest antifungal agent. It is approved for yeast infections, not tinea (superficial skin infection by fungus, ringworm).

The "azole" family of antifungals includes

econazole (Spectazole™)
ketoconazole (Nizoral™)
oxiconazole (Oxistat™) (once daily dosing)
sulconazole (Exelderm™)
clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF™ and others) (over the counter)
miconazole (Micatin™, Monistat™) (over the counter)

These are effective against fungi as well as yeast.

The allylamine and benzylamine family contains

naftifine (Naftin™)
terbinafine (Lamisil™) (over the counter Lamisil AT™)
butenafine (Mentax™)

These drugs are very potent against fungi (ringworm), but not so for yeasts. They are generally more expensive.

Ciclopirox (Loprox™) is in its own family; it is very effective against fungi and yeasts, and is available in a shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

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