Naftifine was invented at the Sandoz Research Institute in Vienna, Austria. It was the first successful antifungal medication of the allylamine class.[1]
Naftifine has triple action: antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Its fungistatic activity is believed to be based on inhibition of the squalene-2,3-epoxidase enzyme, which in turn results in the shortage of ergosterol required for the formation of fungal cell membranes. With some fungal species, there is also fungicidal activity from a resulting accumulation of squalenes, leading to damage of the fungal cell membranes, including at the endoplasmatic reticulum.[1][2][3] Naftifine shows mostly fungicidal activity toward dermatophytes and molds, and mostly fungistatic activity toward yeasts. It is also effective as an antibacterial agent in treating pyoderma. [citation needed]
Naftifine is almost completely metabolized in the human body, with a half-life of 2–3 days.[3] The metabolites do not have antifungal activity, and are excreted within urine and feces.[4]
^Robertson DB, Maibach HI (2009). "Dermatologic Pharmacology.". In Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ (eds.). Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Medical. ISBN978-0-07-160406-2.
^ abNaftifine Hydrochloride. Micromedex DRUGDEX Drug Point (Report). 18 February 2010..