Econazole is a broad-spectrum imidazole antifungal widely used for the treatment of superficial fungal infections such as tinea, candidiasis, and ringworm. It works by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis, disrupting fungal cell membrane integrity, increasing permeability, and causing cell death, making it highly effective against dermatophytes and yeasts. Clinically, it is available in topical formulations like creams, lotions, and solutions, allowing localized treatment with minimal systemic absorption and side effects. Developed in the 1970s to provide a safer and more effective antifungal than earlier agents, econazole offered dermatologists a versatile and reliable option for managing a variety of cutaneous fungal infections. Its broad-spectrum activity, high efficacy, good tolerability, and ease of application have made econazole a mainstay in topical antifungal therapy and an essential drug in dermatological practice worldwide.
