Terbinafine Hydrochloride Cream Antifungal Prescription orals and topicals are the most effective treatments for toenail fungus, however there are over-the-counter medicines that can effectively cure minor fungal infections. There are three types of antifungal medications: topical, oral, and injected. Topical medications work by stopping the growth of fungi cells without killing them. This type of treatment must be applied regularly to be effective. The two main groups of topical medications are nitro compounds and imidazoles. Nitro compounds reduce the pain caused by infected nails by blocking a certain enzyme called phospholipase D. Imidazoles stop the growth of fungi by interfering with another enzyme called protein synthesis. Neither group of drugs is effective on its own but when used together they work better than either one alone. Oral medications work by killing the fungi cells. They are safe for use in children and most adults. The two main groups of oral medications are polyenes and azoles. Polyenes are natural products found in yeast extracts that kill fungi by disrupting their cell membranes. They are used in combination therapies because they don't work well on their own. Fluconazole is an example of a polyene drug. Azoles are synthetic chemicals that block enzymes needed for fungi to grow and reproduce.