Miconazole: a preliminary review of its therapeutic efficacy in systemic fungal infections.

Miconazole is an imidazole antifungal drug which has recently become available for systemic use. Its antifungal activity has been well studied and it is active in vitro against a wide range of fungi. Published and unpublished reports of the use of miconazole in conditions such as systemic or mucocutaneous candidosis, coccidioidomycosis, fungal meningitis, and paracoccidioidomycosis (which seems especially responsive) have often been encouraging, particularly in view of the serious, refractory nature of the conditions treated, but in most areas of use experience is limited. There are few effective drugs available for treating most systemic fungal infections, and if further studies confirm the encouraging results often seen to date, miconazole will be an important addition to the limited choices available for such conditions.