CLINICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS IN STOMATOLOGYCAL PRACTICE

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, fungal infections account for 20-70% of diseases worldwide. This high prevalence is influenced significantly by social, medical, and pharmacological factors. Treating candidiasis poses challenges due to the characteristics of the causative agent, its adaptability to environmental conditions, and resistance to commonly used drugs. The increased occurrence of fungal infections in the oral cavity can be attributed to various risk factors such as prosthetic surface adhesion, poor habits, altered oral cavity pH, saliva quantity, iatrogenic factors, and comorbidities in patients. Candidal stomatitis treatment is complicated by the Candida genus's tolerance to traditional antifungal drugs, decreased immune reactivity, and the lack of effective treatment and prevention strategies for candidiasis in patients receiving antibacterial drugs and glucocorticosteroids. It is important to recognize that candidiasis is often a symptom of underlying conditions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach, caution, and extensive knowledge in its treatment. Dentists dealing with mycosis-related issues play a crucial role in enhancing antifungal therapy and developing evidence-based pharmacotherapy standards. Therefore, it is essential to keep healthcare professionals informed about the clinical and pharmacological characteristics of antifungal drugs in a timely manner. This study aims to analyze contemporary literature regarding the clinical and pharmacological aspects of antifungal drugs in dental practice. The analysis of existing sources highlights several widely accepted principles of pharmacotherapy for fungal lesions of the oral mucosa, including selecting antifungal drugs based on their selectivity against specific pathogens or using combination therapies. Other factors to consider are the underlying cause of the disease, patient age, comorbidities, and the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile of antifungal agents. Effective treatment of fungal infections requires a combination of local and systemic approaches, adhering strictly to prescribed drug dosages and treatment durations. The task for practicing clinicians facing challenges in managing oral mucosal mycoses is to enhance therapy using currently available antifungals and develop modern pharmacotherapy standards based on evidence-based medicine