Enhanced contact activity of fluconazole in association with antioxidants against fluconazole-resistant organisms.

Fluconazole alone does not demonstrate any contact activity against resistant organisms. Phenolic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole, appear to promote fluconazole activity resulting in the killing of 10(4) cfu/mL of 11 resistant Candida albicans strains within 3-15 min and of 10(4) cfu/mL of 10 resistant Escherichia coli strains within 6-15 min. Fluconazole activity was increased by the addition of ethyl alcohol (20%). Antioxidants appear to promote fluconazole activity by increasing cell membrane permeability. This combination has potential advantages in the administration of topical fluconazole.