Introduction to Azoles

Agents: ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, multiple topical formulations

The azoles are a broad class of antifungal agents whose drug development has recently been expanding. They work by inhibiting fungal cytochrome P450, decreasing ergosterol production. One might expect that this mechanism of action would lead to issues with drug interactions, and this is indeed a significant problem with these drugs.

Azoles have become mainstays of antifungal pharmacotherapy. As they have been developed,  agents of variable antifungal spectrums and toxicity profiles have been introduced. These differences are fundamental and are among the most important characteristics to know if you use them clinically.

References

Gallagher ,J.C. and MacDougall ,c. (2012). Antibiotics Simplified. Second Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.