The drugs of choice for treatment of fungal infections are listed in the table that begins on page 62. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA. More detailed guidelines for some of these infections are available online from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (www.idsociety.org).

The drugs of choice for treatment of some fungal infections are listed. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA. More detailed guidelines are available online from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (www.idsociety.org).

The drugs of choice for treatment of some fungal infections are listed in the tables. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA. Other guidelines are available from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (www.idsociety.org).

The drugs of choice for treatment of some fungal infections are listed in the table that begins on page 8. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA.

Parasitic infections are found throughout the world. With increasing travel, immigration, use of immunosuppressive drugs and the spread of AIDS, physicians anywhere may see infections caused by previously unfamiliar parasites. The table below lists first-choice and alternative drugs for most parasitic infections. The brand names and manufacturers of the drugs are listed in this article.

Superseded--purchase updated Parasitic Infections article
Parasitic infections are found throughout the world. With increasing travel, immigration, use of immunosuppressive drugs and the spread of AIDS, physicians anywhere may see infections caused by previously unfamiliar parasites.

Note: Drugs for Parasitic Infections, revised and updated, is now available to both subscribers and nonsubscribers on our web site. This article, a bi-annual feature of The Medical Letter for many years, will not be published as a printed issue in 2002, but is included in the 16th edition of The Medical Letter Handbook of Antimicrobial Therapy. The handbook is now available and can be ordered by calling customer service at 1-800-211-2769.

(Superseded by the 2013 version. Click here to purchase.)
Parasitic infections are found throughout the world. With increasing travel, immigration, use of immunosuppressive drugs and the spread of AIDS, physicians anywhere may see infections caused by previously unfamiliar parasites. The table lists first-choice and alternative drugs for most parasitic infections.

The drugs of choice for treatment of deep fungal infections are listed in the table below. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA.

The drugs of choice for treatment of deep fungal infections are listed in the table on page 101. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. More detailed guidelines are available from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (J Sobel et al, Clin Infect Dis, volume 30, April 2000).

Results of recently completed clinical trials have led to some changes in recommendation for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associated with AIDS.

Results of recently completed clinical trials have led to some changes in recommendations for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associted with AIDS.

The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections continues to increase, particularly in patients who have AIDS, are taking immunosuppressive drugs, or are in intensive care units. Intravenous (IV) amphotericin B (Fungizone, and others), sometimes given with flucytosine (Ancobon), is the drug of choice for initial treatment of most rapidly progressive, acutely life-threatening fungal infections; for less severe infections, fluconazole (Diflucan, ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox - an investigational drug in the (USA) may also be effective, can be taken orally, and are much better tolerated. The treatment of superficial fungal infections is not discussed here.

A growing number of clinical trials now permits some consensus on the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in adults.

Fluconazole (Diflucan - Roerig), an antifungal azole, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for oral and intravenous (IV) treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and various forms of candidiasis. Both cryptococcal meningitis and candidiasis occur frequently in patients with AIDS, organ transplants, or cancer.

(Kodak) perform clinical chemistry tests using desk-top instruments, microliter samples and postage-stamp-sized analytical slides containing dry reagents layered on clear polyester and mounted in plastic. The system requires no wet reagents, except for electrolyte determinations, and is designed to require a minimum amount of training to operate. A single analysis takes about five minutes.

The incidence of opportunistic deep fungal infections continues to increase, particularly among patients who have AIDS, are taking immunosuppressive drugs, or are in intensive care units.