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What are the Different Treatments for a Systemic Candida Infection?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Systemic Candida is a fungal infection that has spread through the body. In most cases, treating this type of infection involves taking oral antifungal medications. While all of the commonly used systemic Candida medications do the same thing—kill Candida, there are different types a doctor may prescribe. Among those most frequently prescribed are fluconazole, voriconazole, flucytosine, itraconazole, and caspofungin.

Candida is a category of fungus that is commonly responsible for causing localized infections such as yeast infections, thrush, and nail fungus. In most cases, the infection stays local. Sometimes, however, it spreads through the bloodstream and affects other parts of the body, including a patient's vital organs. This is most likely to occur in individuals who have weakened immune systems, but when it does develop, it may cause serious health problems. Typically, doctors prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) antifungal medications for the treatment of a systemic Candida infection.

Typically, doctors prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) antifungal medications for the treatment of a systemic Candida infection.
Typically, doctors prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) antifungal medications for the treatment of a systemic Candida infection.

One of the most common types of systemic Candida treatments is called fluconazole. This medication is known to be effective for dealing with systemic Candida infections, including those that have infected the central nervous system; some of the other treatments are not as effective for this purpose.

Unfortunately, some types of Candida may grow resistant to fluconazole. When this occurs, doctors often prescribe a medication call voriconazole for treating a systemic Candida infection. Voriconazole treatment is associated with a higher likelihood of side effects, however, and is usually reserved for only the most serious cases.

In most cases, treating a systemic candida infection involves taking oral antifungal medications.
In most cases, treating a systemic candida infection involves taking oral antifungal medications.

Itraconazole is another treatment commonly used for dealing with a systemic Candida infection. Under normal circumstances, this treatment is primarily used for dealing with infections of a person’s fingernails. It is also considered helpful for dealing with systemic infections that fail to respond to fluconazole, however.

Flucytosine is another medication that is effective for the treatment of systemic Candida infection. Doctors have found, however, that many strains of Candida become resistant to the drug over only a short period of time. For this reason, when doctors prescribe this medication for the treatment of systemic Candida infection, they often combine it with fluconazole or another type of drug to boost its effectiveness.

Yogurt -- which contains acidophilus -- may help treat a yeast infection.
Yogurt -- which contains acidophilus -- may help treat a yeast infection.

Serious or stubborn cases of systemic Candida infection are often treated with a drug called amphotericin-B. This fungicidal drug is usually effective against many different types of Candida. It must, however, be administered through an IV needle and is one of the most toxic drugs used to treat a systemic Candida infection.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ZipLine

@anamur-- The foods you mention are effective against mild cases of candida, but if someone is suffering from a systemic infection, they're not going to work.

Anti-fungals like fluconazole and clotrimazole are very effective. I had a systemic candida infection last year. My doctor prescribed one of these anti-fungal medications and my infection was treated in just a few weeks.

I'm not saying that medications are always better, but when an infection has gotten bad enough to be systemic, you don't want to be wasting your time with herbs and garlic.

serenesurface

@fBoyle-- I'm a proponent of natural ingredients for the treatment of systemic candida albicans.

Anti-fungal medications work, but if the person's immune system is weakened, the infection will return soon after the medications are over.

Many natural foods and herbs contain anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties that can kill and prevent candida in the long term. Raw garlic, oregano oil, virgin coconut oil, aloe vera and acidophilus are just some of these.

It's also important to avoid everything that candida feeds on, mainly carbohydrates and sugar. It's not easy to get rid of systemic candida. I have friends who have been suffering from years. But they found the most relief when they combined a candida diet with some of these natural anti-fungal foods.

fBoyle

I've had a candida yeast infection for six months. I've tried three different anti-fungal medications and nothing seems to be working. I don't know what to do.

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    • Typically, doctors prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) antifungal medications for the treatment of a systemic Candida infection.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Typically, doctors prescribe oral or intravenous (IV) antifungal medications for the treatment of a systemic Candida infection.
    • In most cases, treating a systemic candida infection involves taking oral antifungal medications.
      By: chaoss
      In most cases, treating a systemic candida infection involves taking oral antifungal medications.
    • Yogurt -- which contains acidophilus -- may help treat a yeast infection.
      By: nenetus
      Yogurt -- which contains acidophilus -- may help treat a yeast infection.
    • Candida is the culprit behind oral thrush.
      By: adam88xx
      Candida is the culprit behind oral thrush.
    • Vaginal suppositories may contain medication to kill off candida yeast infections.
      By: Barabas Attila
      Vaginal suppositories may contain medication to kill off candida yeast infections.
    • Candida is commonly responsible for causing localized infections such as nail fungus.
      By: uwimages
      Candida is commonly responsible for causing localized infections such as nail fungus.
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      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Fever is a potential warning sign of an infection.
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    • The young and elderly are susceptible to developing systemic infections.
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      The young and elderly are susceptible to developing systemic infections.