Toxicology of Antifungal and Antiviral Drugs

Microbes invade living cells causing chronic infections in humans and can be fatal if left untreated. Various approaches have been employed to prepare novel and enhanced antimicrobial medications. Currently, a variety of combination medications are being developed to treat different viral infections. Most of them aim to prevent the replication of viral genome by hindering the activity of one or more macromolecules at different stages of life cycle. Antiviral molecules comprise proteases, integrases, immunomodulators and interferons. However, both antifungal and antiviral medications have the potential to be toxic to human cells, especially when combined with other medications. Additionally, the emergence of newly evolved resistant fungi, like Candida auris, and viruses, like coronaviruses and Ebola, highlights the need for more creative approaches for the development of more potent antifungal and antiviral medications to combat even newly emerging infections. Antifungal drugs combat fungal infections by targeting specific components of fungal cells. While these medications are valuable in treating fungal infections, it is essential to use them judiciously to minimize the risk of developing drug resistance and side effects. Here, we have explained the toxicities caused by FDA-approved antifungal and antiviral drugs with an emphasis to overcome such issues in future.