Antifungals treat fungal infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, among others). Polyenes (nystatin for oropharyngeal candidiasis; amphotericin B for severe systemic infections) bind to ergosterol in the fungal membrane, forming pores that cause cellular content loss. Azoles inhibit 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), an enzyme essential for ergosterol synthesis — including fluconazole (candidiasis, cryptococcosis), ketoconazole (less used due to hepatotoxicity), voriconazole (invasive aspergillosis — first-line) and itraconazole (histoplasmosis, blastomycosis). Echinocandins (caspofungin) inhibit 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, compromising the fungal cell wall — indicated for invasive Candida and Aspergillus infections in immunocompromised patients. (Sources: DailyMed/FDA, EMC-UK/MHRA, Health Canada)
