Fungal infection during pregnancy
A fungal infection in pregnancy can in most cases be treated well and without danger for mother and child with effective medication. Although a fungal infection can basically occur anywhere on the body and in any organ, a fungal infection of the vagina is by far the most common in pregnant women. Due to the pregnancy hormones, the sugar content in the cells of the vaginal mucosa changes, which makes it easier for fungal infections to occur.
Drugs containing the active ingredient clotrimazole are frequently used. This is applied as a cream to the affected areas. There is no danger to the unborn child from this medicine.
On the contrary, it is even important to treat the annoying but harmless vaginal fungal infection during pregnancy. If left untreated, the fungal infection can otherwise spread to the child at birth. In premature babies, this can even be life-threatening in rare cases.
If fungal infections of other organs or parts of the body occur during pregnancy, treatment with other drugs may be necessary. Drugs that are applied to the skin are usually harmless. In serious cases, it is necessary to take a medication that is also absorbed through the blood and thus possibly also affects the child’s organism. Whether treatment is indicated in individual cases, which drug is suitable and whether it can have an effect on the child, must be discussed with the doctor.
Ergosterol synthesis inhibitors
Ergosterol is a specific component of the fungal cell membrane and is essential for optimal cell function and growth. Since ergosterol is produced in several steps, ergosterol synthesis inhibitors intervene at different points in the synthesis sequence. The most important groups of drugs among the ergosterol synthesis inhibitors are allylamines, azoles and morpholines (drugs against fungal diseases).
Allylamines
Active ingredients and mechanism of action: Allylamines (antifungal agents) include the active ingredients terbinafine (Lamisil ®) and the locally used naftifine (Exoderil ®). These antimycotics (fungicides) intervene in a very early step of the ergosterol synthesis and inhibit a specific enzyme (squalene epoxidase). This causes growth inhibition in most species of fungi.
Only on skin fungi (dermatophytes) it acts fungicidal. Terbinafine is taken orally, is well absorbed from the intestine into the circulation and accumulates mainly in the skin, nails and fatty tissue (remedy against fungal diseases). Application and side effects: Terbinafine is mainly used for skin infections caused by dermatophytes.
The drug is broken down in the liver and the breakdown products are excreted again via the kidneys and intestines. For this reason, Terbinafine should not be administered in cases of liver dysfunction. It is actually tolerated quite well. Unwanted skin symptoms or digestive disorders are rather rare (remedy for fungal diseases).
