Antifungal medicines
Antifungal medicines can cause side effects. These will differ depending onthe type of antifungal medicine you are using.
Topical antifungal medicines, such as creams, can cause:
Stop using the medicine if any of these side effects are severe, and see your GP or pharmacist to find an alternative.
Side effects of oral antifungals, such as capsules, include:
These side effects are usually mild and only last for a short period of time.
Antifungals can also causesevere reactions, such as:
If you experience any of these reactions, stop taking your medicine and contact your GP immediately.
If you are having difficulty breathing, visit the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospitalor call 999 for an ambulance.
Liver damage is a rare, but more serious, side effect of oral antifungals.
Stop taking the medicine and contact your GPif you experience:
Amphotericin B is the most commonly used intravenous antifungal. This is usually given in hospital as an intravenous infusion (a continuous drip of medicine into a vein in your arm).
Side effects of amphotericin include:
Amphotericin can also affect your:
More rarely it can cause problems with your:
As amphotericin is given in hospital under supervision, any adverse effects are usually quickly detected and treated.
When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of one of the medicines can be altered by the other. This is known as a drug interaction. Some antifungal medicines can interact with other medicines .
Tell your GP or pharmacist what other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, so they can decide whether an antifungal medicine is safe for you to take.
Medicines that antifungal medicines may interact with include:
Antifungal medicines are used to treat fungal infections.
Antifungal medicines have many brand names, as they are made by different pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Before you take antifungals, there are a number of things you should discuss with your GP.
Antifungal medicines can cause side effects. These will differ depending on the type of antifungal medicine you are using.