Amphotericin B belongs to which antifungal drug class?

Amphotericin B belongs to which antifungal drug class?

• A. Azoles
• B. Echinocandins
• C. Polyenes
• D. Allaylamines

Answer: (C)

Antifungal drugs are grouped by how they work. Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal because it binds to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane and forms pores, causing membrane leakage and cell death. This mechanism is distinct from azoles, which block ergosterol synthesis; echinocandins, which inhibit β-1,3-glucan production in the cell wall; and allylamines, which inhibit squalene epoxidase in the same synthesis pathway. So the class that best matches amphotericin B’s action is polyenes.

Antifungal drugs are grouped by how they work. Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal because it binds to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane and forms pores, causing membrane leakage and cell death. This mechanism is distinct from azoles, which block ergosterol synthesis; echinocandins, which inhibit β-1,3-glucan production in the cell wall; and allylamines, which inhibit squalene epoxidase in the same synthesis pathway. So the class that best matches amphotericin B’s action is polyenes.