Econazole nitrate

Pharmacological action

Econazole nitrate, as a dechlorination derivative of miconazole, is an antifungal drug of piromidic. It has the antibacterial activity against candida, fonsecaea, coccidioides, histoplasma, sporotrichum and so on, and also has the anti-microbial activity against trichophyton,etc, but poor properties on aspergillus, sporothrix schenckii, some dermateaceae and mucor. It can disrupt the activity of cytochrome P450 to inhibit the biosynthesis of ergosterol, the main steroids of fungal cell membrane, damage the fungal cell membrane and change its permeability, so that the important intracellular matter leak out. It can inhibit the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol and phospholipid and the activity of oxidase and peroxidase to cause the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in cells, which results in submicrostructure degeneration and necrocytosis. It can inhibit the transformation of candida albicans from spores to invasive hypha. It is applicable to tinea manuum, tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, tinea versicolor and cutaneous candidiasis.

Pharmacokinetics

After external use, most medicines enter into the epidermis, as well as the dermis. Only 1% can be absorbed into the blood stream. The amount of reabsorption in urine and faeces is less than 1% of the dosage.

Usage

It is applicable to tinea corporis, tinea manuum, tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, tinea versicolor and cutaneous candidiasis.

Synthetic routes

Use trichloroacetophenon as the starting material. After revivification and imidazole, add p-chlorobenzyl chloride to prepare the econazole through substitution. Finally econazole nitrate is obtained by salifying with nitric acid.

Fig. 1 shows the synthetic route of econazole nitrate

Contraindication

• Do not use during the first trimester or menstruation.
• Those allergic to imidazole medicament and other ingredients in this product are forbidden to use.
• Primary bacterial infectious cutaneous condition and severe secondary bacterial infections (such as obvious pustules, exudation, pus, skin necrosis and ulcers).

Adverse reaction

• Local irritation symptoms, such as pruritus and burning sensation;
• Occasional erythema and blister, most of which are short and slight.

Precautions

• Intended for external use only. Avoid contact with eyes.
• To avoid relapses, patients with cutaneous candidiasis and various tinea diseases require at least a 2-week course of therapy, but at least a 4-week course for tinea pedis for prolonged periods.
• Avoid the local tight covering of dressing in the treatment of candidiasis.
• Do not be used in the place big area use for a long time.

Description

Econazole nitrate (EN) is a broad-spectrum antifungal medication used topically in the treatment of dermatomycoses due to a wide variety of fungi, such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and pityriasis. It is also used vaginally in the treatment of vaginal candidosis.

Uses

Antifungal.

brand name

Spectazole (Johnson & Johnson).

General Description

1-[2-[(4-Chlorophenyl)methoxy]-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethyl]-1H-imidazole (Spectazole) is a white crystalline nitricacid salt of econazole. It is only slightly soluble in waterand most organic solvents.Econazole is used as a 1% cream for the topical treatmentof local tinea infections and cutaneous candidiasis.

References

[1] P. Verma, B. Pharm, M. Pharm, K. Pathak, M. Pahrm, Nanosized ethanolic vesicles loaded with econazole nitrate for the treatment of deep fungal infections through topical gel formulation, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, 2012, vol. 8, 489-496
[2] R. C. Heel, R. N. Brogden, T. M. Speight and G. S. Avery, Econazole: A Review of its Antifungal Activity and Therapeutic Efficacy, Drugs, 1978, vol. 16, 177-201
[3] http://www.webmd.com