Newer systemic antifungal drugs for the treatment of onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis, the infection of the nail unit by any fungus, far from being just a cosmetic problem, has significant psychological, physical, social, and financial implications. Further, it has experienced a dramatic rise in incidence in recent years. The introduction of newer systemic antifungal drugs (itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine) offer an increased cure rate, a broader spectrum of activity, shortening of the treatment period, and increased safety, compared with the traditional systemic antifungal drugs griseofulvin and ketoconazole.