antifungal /-fung″gəl/ , 1. pertaining to a substance that kills fungi or inhibits their growth or reproduction. 2. an antifungal, antibiotic drug. Amphotericin B and ketoconazole, both effective against a broad spectrum of fungi, probably act by binding to sterols in the fungal plasma membrane and changing the membrane’s permeability. Griseofulvin, another broad-spectrum antifungal agent, binds to the host’s new keratin and renders it resistant to further fungal invasion. Miconazole nitrate inhibits the growth of common dermatophytes, including yeastlike Candida albicans; nystatin is effective against yeast and yeastlike fungi. Also called antimycotic.
