Recent Advancement and Applications of Transdermal Patches having Antifungal Potential

Abstract

Most of fungi do not require any human interventions for their propagation, and are not harmful for humans. However, some fungal species are adventitious pathogens are can cause systemic, subcutaneous and superficial infections. There are various synthetic chemical classes with potent antifungal agents. Polyenes, azoles, allylamines, morpholines and some antimetabolite drugs have been used as antifungal agents over decades. Despite the availability of good number of antifungal agents, worldwide emergence of drug resistance against existing antifungal agents is a major challenge for healthcare industry, warranting novel formulations to tackle the situation.  Transdermal patches are comparatively novel formulations that can address limitations associated with traditional drug delivery systems. Transdermal patches provide controlled release of drugs, hence can avoid systemic side effects. Transdermal patches offer several advantages over oral antifungal drugs. Oral antifungals are absorbed into systemic circulations and cause numerous side effects. Transdermal patches can also enhance patient adherence to the treatment regimen, as they require less frequent replacement compared to other methods. The review focused on recent innovations and research on antifungal transdermal patches.