Allylamines: topical and oral treatment of dermatomycoses with a new class of antifungal agents.

A new class of synthetic antifungal agents, characterized by an allylamine function as the essential structural feature, is reviewed. Two members of this class, identified by the generic name Naftifine and the code number SF 86-327 respectively, which were selected for further development from among several hundred analogous, are described in greater detail. As a class, the allylamines are highly active against dermatophytes and moulds, and moderately active against yeasts. Naftifine has been developed as an agent for the topical treatment of dermatomycoses, while SF 86-327 is under development in both topical and oral formulations, being the first orally applicable antifungal agent with a primarily fungicidal mode of action.