Last Updated on February 16, 2021 by Adnan Musa

An infection caused by fungus is known as a fungal skin infection. Usually, this type of infection is very itchy and annoying. Your skin can become peel and there will be a rush on your skin because of the fungus infection. Though fungal infection is not serious proper treatment is required to completely cure this infection. There are many antifungal creams available to treat this infection. If you are wondering what antifungal cream to use then, you should take a look at the below list of best antifungal creams of different drug classes.         

List Of Best Antifungal Cream In Bangladesh

Afun Cream

• Clotrimazole
• 1%
• Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

The confirmed indication for Clotrimazole include:

• All dermatomycoses due to dermatophytes (e.g. Trichophyton species)
• All dermatomycoses due to yeasts (Candida species)
• Dermatomycoses due to moulds and other fungi
• Skin diseases showing superinfections with these fungi

To the dermatomycoses listed under 1-4 belong for example, interdigital myocoses (e.g. athlete’s foot), paronychias (associated with nail mycoses), myocoses in skin folds, Candida vulvitis, Candida balanitis, Pityriasis versicolor, erythrasma.

Pharmacology

Clotrimazole is a broad spectrum antifungal. It also exhibits activity against Trichomonus, Staphylococci, Streptococci and Bacteroides. Clotrimazole kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by stopping the production of ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes resulting in increased membrane permeability and leakage of essential constituents of the fungal cells.

Dosage & Administration

Wash skin with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of the cream or solution 2-3 times daily and gently massage over affected area as directed by the doctor. For Athlete’s foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes. Best results in Athlete’s foot and ringworm are usually obtained with 4 weeks use of this product. The cream should be applied two or three times daily for one month or for at least two weeks after the disappearance of all signs of infection. If satisfactory results have not occurred within these times consultation with doctor is essential. For best results, follow directions and continue treatment for length of time indicated. The duration of treatment varies; it depends among other factors on the extent and localization of the disease.

Recommended duration of treatment :

• Dermatomycoses: 3-4 weeks
• Candida vulvitis and candida balanitis: 1-2 weeks
• Erythrasma and pityriasis versicolor (approx.): 3 weeks

In fungal infection of the feet, to prevent relapses: Treatment should be continued for about 2 weeks beyond the disappearance of all signs of disease.

Clotrimazole cream is odourless, can be washed off and does not stain.

Side Effects

Clotrimazole is generally well tolerated after local application but the few side effects have been reported infrequently like erythema, stinging, blistering, peeling, oedema, pruritus, urticaria and general irritation.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category B. Clotrimazole is recommended during pregnancy only after first consulting a doctor.

Lactation: Because systemic absorption of clotrimazole following topical application is marginal, there should be no risk for the infant during lactation.

Overdose Effects

Supportive measures should be taken in case of accidental oral ingestion.

Storage Conditions

Store at a cool and dry place. Protect from light. Do not freeze.

Bet-CL Cream

• Betamethasone + Clotrimazole
• 0.05%+1%
• ACME Laboratories Ltd.

Indications

This cream is indicated for the topical treatment of inflammatory dermal infections like tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis etc.

Pharmacology

Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent used for the treatment of superficial infections caused by species of pathogenic dermatophytes, yeasts, and Malassezia furfur. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of the synthesis of ergosterol, a major sterol in the fungal cell membrane. This leads to instability of the cell membrane and eventual death of the fungus.

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. But the exact mechanism of action of corticosteroids is not clearly known.

Dosage & Administration

Sufficient cream or ointment should be applied onto the affected and surrounding skin areas twice a day, in the morning and evening, for 2 weeks in tinea cruris and tinea corporis and for 4 weeks in tinea pedis. The use of cream for longer than four weeks is not recommended.

Side Effects

Clotrimazole is well tolerated when applied topically. Local irritation and burning sensation may occur in a very few cases but these symptoms are not considered harmful. Contact allergic dermatitis has been reported, if this occurs, treatment should be discontinued.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: Catagory C. In the first trimester of pregnancy, clotrimazole should be used only when it is essential for the welfare of the patient. Administration of clotrimazole to a small number of women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy has produced no obvious untoward effect on the course of the pregnancy or on the fetus.

Lactation: Although systemic absorption following topical or vaginal administration is low, caution should be exercised when clotrimazole is administered to nursing mothers as there is no information on whether or not clotrimazole is excreted in breast milk.

Overdose Effects

Acute overdose with the cream is unlikely and would not be expected to lead to a life-threatening situation. The cream should not be used for longer than the prescribed time period.

Storage Conditions

Store at or below 30˚C. Do not freeze.

Betameson Cream

• Betamethasone Dipropionate
• 0.05%
• Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of resistant or severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. These include-

• Atopic eczema
• Nummular eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Neurodermatitis
• Anogenital and senile pruritus
• Lichen planus
• Psoriasis
• Pharmacology

Betamethasone Dipropionate is a potent topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids have antiinflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions when administered. Betamethasone acts by inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity and reduces the formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes in local tissues.

Dosage & Administration

Apply a thin film once or twice daily to cover completely the affected area. Patients with chronic psoriasis who have achieved at least a marked improvement in their psoriatic lesion (i.e., approximately 80% improvement) with Betamethasone Dipropionate may be maintained in remission with a pulse dosing regimen consisting of three consecutive applications of up to 3.5 g each of Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment, twelve hours apart (e.g., morning, evening, following morning) to the previously affected areas once each week. For this purpose, Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment should be applied to the lesion sites previously affected and treated. Patients on this pulse dose regimen who relapse should be reverted back to the conventional dosing regimen.

Side Effects

The most frequent side effects reported with Betamethasone Dipropionate are mild to moderate transient burning/stinging, dry skin, pruritus, irritation and folliculitis. Rarely reported adverse effects include tingling, prickly skin/tightening or cracking of skin, warm feeling,laminar scaling and perilesional scaling,follicular rash, skin atrophy, erythema, urticaria, vesiculation, telangiectasia, acneiform papules and hyperaesthesia.

Adverse reactions reported with the use of the Betamethasone Dipropionate ointment pulse dose regimen were mild intermittent hypertension and paraesthesia. Other local adverse reactions that have been reported with the use of topical corticosteroids include: itching, hypertrichosis, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, striae, miliaria and exacerbation of untreated infections

Storage Conditions

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Fungidal-HC Cream

• Miconazole Nitrate + Hydrocortisone
• 2%+1%
• Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

For the topical treatment of inflamed dermatoses where  infection by susceptible organisms and inflammation coexist e.g. intertrigo and infected eczema. For moist or dry eczema or dermatitis including atopic eczema, primary irritant or contact allergic eczema or seborrheic eczema including that associated with acne. Also for interiginous eczema including inflammatory interigo, perianal and genital dermatitis. Organisms which are susceptible to miconazole are dermatophytes and pathogenic yeasts (e.g. Candida spp.): also many Gram-positive bacteria including many strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.

Pharmacology

Miconazole nitrate is an imidazole antifungal agent and possesses antibacterial activity. At low concentrations, it interacts with fungal cytochrome P450 which results in inhibition of a demethylation step in the biosynthesis of ergosterol. At high concentrations, miconazole interacts with membrane lipids causing direct membrane damage which results in leakage of fungus cell constituents. It appears that fungistatic effects result from the inhibition of membrane sterol synthesis and membrane. Hydrocortisone is a naturally occurring glucocorticoid that is now prepared by chemical synthesis and its main action is to reduce the response of the skin to injury (i.e. anti-inflammatory). It also has immunosuppressant and antimitotic actions.

The anti-inflammatory activity of hydrocortisone is its main therapeutic property. This is thought to be mediated by the reduction in formation, release and action of the various vasoactive chemicals release during inflammation-kinins, histamine, lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins and the complement system. Steroids decrease membrane permeability and bind to tissue receptors. They also induce vasoconstriction, by reducing vascular permeability and reversing vascular dilation which in turn decreases serum extravasation, swelling and discomfort, including itching. Thus, they effectively reduce cellular access to inflamed sites. Corticosteroids also exhibit an antimitotic effect against human epidermal cells which may account for their effectiveness in the treatment of scaly dermatoses such as psoriasis.

Dosage & Administration

It should be applied topically to the affected area two or three times daily. The same dosage applies to both adults and children. In infants, long term continuous topical corticosteroid therapy should be avoided. Occlusive dressing is usually only necessary in the case of nail lesions. Once the inflammatory symptoms have disappointed (after about 7 days) treatment can be continued where necessary with this cream.

Side Effects

Rarely local sensitivity may occur. Topically applied corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects.

Storage Conditions

Keep below 25°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Aristoderm Cream

• Betamethasone + Clotrimazole + Gentamicin
• 0.05%+1%+0.1%
• Aristopharma Ltd.

Composition

Each gram Cream contains-

• Betamethasone Dipropionate 0.5 mg
• Clotrimazole 10 mg
• Gentamicin Sulfate 1 mg

Indications

This Cream is indicated for the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses when complicated by infections caused by bacteria and fungi. This is also effective in the treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris & tinea corporis, acute and chronic eczema.

Pharmacology

This Cream combines the anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions of Betamethasone Dipropionate with the broad spectrum antifungal activity of Clotrimazole and the wide-spectrum bactericidal antibiotic activity of Gentamicin Sulfate. Clotrimazole appears to act on the fungal cell membrane, causing leakage of cell contents. Gentamicin provides highly effective topical treatment in primary and secondary bacterial infections of the skin.

Dosage & Administration

Apply gently into the affected skin areas twice daily. Duration of therapy varies depending upon the extent and location of disease and patient response. For effective treatment, This Cream should be applied regularly.

Neosten HC Cream

• Clotrimazole + Hydrocortisone
• 1%+1%
• Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

The treatment of fungal infections where co-existing symptoms of inflammation e.g. itching, require rapid relief

• All dermatomycoses due to dermatophytes (e.g. Trichophyton species), moulds and other fungi
• All dermatomycoses due to yeasts (Candida species)
• Skin diseases showing secondary infection with these fungi
• The treatment of nappy rash where infection due to Candida albicans is present

Pharmacology

Clotrimazole inhibits ergosterol synthesis, which leads to structural and functional impairment of fungal cytoplasmic membrane. Hydrocortisone, a weak corticosteroid with both glucocorticoid and to a lesser extent mineralocorticoid activity, has antiphlogistic, antipruriginous, antiexudative and antiallergic effects.

Dosage & Administration

Apply thinly and evenly to the affected area twice daily

It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the components of this preparation.

Side Effects

Allergic reaction (e.g. syncope, urticaria, dyspnoea, hypotension), blisters, oedema, discomfort/ pain, erythema, peeling/ exfoliation, irritation, Rarely, hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis suppression, cushingoid features, delayed wt gain/ growth retardation in childn, glaucoma, HTN, hyperglycaemia/ glucosuria, osteoporosis, cataract, increased wt/ obesity, decreased endogenous cortisol levels, steroid withdrawal syndrome.

Storage Conditions

Store below 25°C.

Dermoset Cream

• Clobetasol Propionate [Topical Preparation]
• 0.05%
• The White Horse Pharma

Indications

Clobetasol Propionate is indicated for adults, elderly and children over 1 year in following dermatoses.

• Psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis)
• Recalcitrant dermatoses
• Lichen planus
• Discoid lupus erythematosus
• Other skin conditions which do not respond satisfactorily to less potent steroids

Pharmacology

Clobetasol Propionate is a very potent topical corticosteroid. It has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. It shows anti-inflammatory activity via multiple mechanisms to inhibit late phase allergic reactions. It decreases the density of mast cells, chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils. It also reduces cytokine production and inhibits the metabolism of arachidonic acid.

Dosage

Adults, elderly and children over 1 year: Apply a thin layer of Clobetasol Propionate Cream or Ointment to the affected skin areas twice daily and rub in gently and completely. Repeated short courses of Clobetasol Propionate may be used to control exacerbations. In more resistant lesions, especially where there is hyperkeratosis, the effect of Clobetasol can be enhanced, if necessary, by occluding the treatment area with polythene film. Overnight occlusion only is usually adequate to bring about a satisfactory response.

Clobetasol Propionate is super-high potency topical corticosteroids; therefore, treatment should be limited to 2 consecutive weeks. The maximum weekly dose should not be exceeded 50 gm/week. In case of children, courses should be limited if possible to five days and reviewed weekly.

Side Effects

The most reported side effects are burning and stinging sensation. Less frequent adverse reactions are itching, skin atrophy, cracking and fissuring of the skin. Cushing syndrome has been reported in infants and adults as a result of prolonged use of topical Clobetasol Propionate formulations.

Storage Conditions

Keep below 30°C temperature, protected from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

Econate Cream

• Econazole Nitrate
• 1%
• Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

Econazole Cream: All fungal skin infections due to dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds and other fungi. These include Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis, Candidial napkin rash, and other candidial infection, Ringworm (tinea) infections, Athlete’s foot, Paronychia, Pityriasis versicolor and Balanitis.

Econazole-G Cream: Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis or any other fungal infection of vagina.

Econazole VT: Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis or any other fungal infection of vagina.

For the treatment of onychomycosis, local therapy with Econazole cream, combined with an oral antimycotic, is recommended.

Pharmacology

Econazole modifies the permeability of cell wall membrane in fungi; may interfere with RNA and protein synthesis, and lipid metabolism.

Dosage & Administration

Econazole Cream is applied to the affected skin areas once or twice daily, in the morning and/or in the evening and gently rubbed in with the clean finger.

For mycoses of the hands, application is recommended following each washing of the hands. For the treatment of onychomycosis, occlusive dressings are recommended.

Side Effects

Rarely, transient local mild irritation, itching & redness may occur immediately after application. Econazole has minimal allergic effect. It is well tolerated, even by delicate skin. Local irritations are not likely to occur, except in rare cases, e.g., in eczematous skin areas. In such cases, anti-eczematous treatment is recommended for several days before therapy with Econazole is initiated.

Overdose Effects

Econazole Cream / VT is intended for topical and vaginal use. If accidental ingestion of large quantities of the product occurs, an appropriate method of gastric emptying may be used if considered desirable.