Candida is a grouping of over 150 species of yeast, although only 5 or so tend to cause harm in people. The most common species to overgrow in people and cause infections is Candida albicans. Candida infections can be localized to the mouth, genitals, intestines and skin, or it can spread throughout the body to become systemic. There are numerous antimicrobial agents that can kill Candida species, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and natural remedies.
Triazoles
Triazoles are a group of antifungal drugs that are considered to be fungistatic, which means to inhibit fungal growth by disrupting their ability to build cell walls. Triazoles include the name-brand drugs Diflucan, Sporanox and Vfend, as well as the generic drugs fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole, according to FungusFocus.com.
Triazoles tend to be less toxic than other antimicrobials. Fluconazole is very effective against Candida species and is usually the drug of choice for systemic candidiasis. Voriconazole is a newer drug used for fluconazole-resistant strains of yeast. Itraconzole is widely used for fungal nail infections.
Imidazoles
Imidazoles are another group of antifungal drugs that are fungistatic, but sometimes also fungicidal, which means to kill fungus directly by punching holes in their cell walls. Imidazoles include the name-brand drug, Nizoral, as well as the generic drugs ketoconazole, clotrimazole and miconazole, as cited by FungusFocus.
Ketoconazole was widely used to kill Candida species, but due to its toxicity to the liver, it is currently used far less than it was. Clotrimazole is an over-the-counter fungicide often used in topical creams, ointments and lozenges. The lozenge is effective against candidiasis of the mouth, or "oral thrush."
Polyenes
The polyenes, which are an antifungal group that are exclusively fungicidal, include the drugs Amphotericin-B and nystatin. Amphotericin-B is very effective against many Candida species and has been used for many years, but it is the most toxic to the liver of all fungicides and it must be administered intravenously because it is not absorbed gastrointestinally. Amphotericin-B is often administered to patients with fluconazole. Nystatin is in the brand-name drugs Mycostatin and Nilstat, which are oral rinses and lozenges meant to combat oral thrush.
Cancidas
Cancidas is a new drug that contains caspofungin, which is fungicidal against Candida and seems to be more effective and less toxic than Amphotericin-B and voriconazole. Caspofungin is a glucan synthesis inhibitor, which kills yeast, fungus and some molds in ways that do not destroy cell walls, according to "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management."
Natural Antimicrobials
Some people with Candida infections want to avoid the liver toxicity and other side effects that synthetic antimicrobial pharmaceuticals cause, so they turn to Mother Nature. Fortunately, there are many natural antimicrobials that do seem to kill Candida yeast species. Perhaps the most widespread and cost effective is raw garlic, which contains allicin--a chemical proven to kill fungi, viruses and bacteria, according to "Chronic Candidiasis."
Coconut oil is another popular antimicrobial, which contains fatty acids that are fungicidal. Oil of oregano contains carvacrol and thymol, both fungicides. Grapefruit seed extract is said to be a powerful antimicrobial, especially for Candida species.
Olive leaf extract contains oleuropein, a strong fungistatic. Olive leaf extract can also be combined with vitamin C for better, synergistic effects. Finally, Goldenseal and fresh cloves are herbs that are used medicinally and purportedly have antifungal properties.
References
- Merck Manual: Candidiasis
- FungusFocus.com: Antifungal Drug Guide
- WrongDiagnosis.com: Candidiasis Treatments
- "Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management"; M.D. Richardson et al; 2003
- "Chronic Candidiasis: Your Natural Guide to Healing with Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Exercise, and Other Natural Methods"; Michael T. Murray; 1997
