Understanding the Pharmacological Target of the Drug Ketoconazole
•
4 min read
Originally approved in 1981, ketoconazole is an imidazole antifungal that disrupts the cell membrane of fungal pathogens by interfering with ergosterol synthesis. To understand what is the target of the drug ketoconazole, one must examine its dual mechanism: inhibiting fungal enzymes crucial for cell wall integrity and, at higher doses, inhibiting human enzymes involved in steroid hormone production. This dual action explains both its therapeutic effect and its potential for significant side effects.
