Which medication is effective for both oral thrush and systemic fungal infections?

Fluconazole is effective for both oral thrush and systemic fungal infections due to its broad spectrum antifungal activity. It belongs to the azole class of antifungals and works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. This disruption leads to increased cell membrane permeability and ultimately the death of the fungus.

In the case of oral thrush, which is commonly caused by Candida species, fluconazole is particularly effective as it can be taken orally, allowing for convenient treatment of this localized infection. Furthermore, fluconazole is well-absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, which facilitates its efficacy in treating systemic infections that may arise from Candida or other susceptible fungi.

The other medications listed have more specific uses or limitations; for example, Voriconazole is typically used for more resistant fungal infections and is not the first line for oral thrush. Amphotericin B is primarily used in severe systemic fungal infections but is not effective for oral thrush due to its poor absorption when taken orally. Nystatin is effective topically and orally for oral thrush but does not have systemic efficacy, making it unsuitable for systemic fungal infections. Thus, fluconazole stands out as the medication that effectively treats both