Paper II
2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

The mechanism of action of the drug terbinafine is:

  • a) Inhibition of fungal cell wall synthesis
  • b) Disruption of fungal cell membrane integrity
  • c) Inhibition of squalene epoxidase in the ergosterol synthesis pathway
  • d) Inhibition of fungal DNA synthesis
Qv1 marksMCQs

Answer

Correct answer: c) Inhibition of squalene epoxidase in the ergosterol synthesis pathway

Terbinafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, an earlier step in the ergosterol synthesis pathway than the azoles’ target (lanosterol demethylase). Blocking this step both depletes ergosterol and causes toxic squalene accumulation within the fungal cell, contributing an additional fungicidal mechanism beyond simple ergosterol depletion — used predominantly for dermatophyte infections, particularly onychomycosis.

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