A Brief Look at Yeast Infection Medication Options

2009-10-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Yeast infection medications are now very abundant. Whether you are looking for a particular prescription medication or an over-the-counter pill or cream, there will be numerous options in your local pharmacy. Most of these yeast infection medications work by stopping the further growth and proliferation of the Candida fungus in the body, which is responsible for almost all cases of yeast infection.

Classifications of Yeast Infection Medication

Yeast infection medications may be classified as either prescription or over-the-counter. They may also be classified according to how they are used --- oral, topical or suppository. Still, yeast infection medications may also be classified depending on the active ingredient they contain.

One example of such classification is the polyene class of anti fungal drugs. For thrush and other not so serious cases, nystatin is the typically recommended drug but for more severe cases, amphotericin B might be more effective.

Azole is another commonly prescribed type of yeast infection medication. You can easily identify these drugs as they all end in the suffix –azole. These drugs stop the production of ergosterol, which is an essential substance used in the reproduction of the Candida fungus.

Another type of yeast infection medication that also slows down the production of ergosterol is the allylamine class of drugs. Some of the most popular members of this class are terbinafine, butenafine and naftifine.

Lastly, we have the echinocandin class of yeast infection medication. These drugs stop the formation of glucan, which is a vital part of the fungus' cell wall. This type of antifungal medication works best for the treatment of invasive and oesophageal yeast infection.

Precautions in Taking Over-the-Counter Yeast Infection Medications

The use of over-the-counter yeast infection medications have become so prevalent in recent years, perhaps because many of us are too busy to schedule in an appointment with the doctor for an official diagnosis.

Obviously, self-medication seems to be a more convenient option for most of us but it cannot be denied that it also comes with a certain amount of risk, particularly if it turns out that you don’t even have the infection at all.

In fact, this can be a bigger problem than many realize because according to health statistics, more than two-thirds of all women who buy OTC yeast infection medications do not even have yeast infection.