Amorolfine is a novel antifungal agent used in the treatment of cutaneous fungal disease.
ChEBI: A member of the class of morpholines that is cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholine in which the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen is replaced by a racemic 2-methyl-3-[p-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)phenyl]propyl group. An inhibitor of the action
f squalene monooxygenase, Delta14 reductase and D7-D8 isomerase and an antifungal agent, it is used (generally as its hydrochloride salt) for the topical treatment of fungal nail and skin infections.
For the treatment of skin infections, a 0.25 % cream preparation is applied once daily until clinical cure is achieved and then for a further 3–5d. For the treatment of nail mycoses caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds, a lacquer preparation containing 5 % amorolfine is painted onto the affected nail once or twice a week until the nail has regenerated. Treatment of onychomycoses normally needs to be continued for up to 1 year. Amorolfine is also active in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
Amorolfine is a broad-spectrum antimycotic with in vitro activity against dermatophytes, pathogenicCandida species, and a variety of pathogenic dimophic fungi such as Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Sporothrix schenckii. The substance also shows some activity against various isolates of Aspergillus species.
Amorolfine is not absorbed after topical administration on normal skin. After application of a single vaginal tablet containing 50 mg of amorolfine, plasma concentrations between 27 and 83 ng/mL were observed.
Amorolfine is the only drug in this class that is employed clinically in the treatment of human fungal infections. Amorolfine is not currently available in the United States, but it is marketed in Europe and Asia for the topical treatment of dermatophytic infections.
