hamycin

Hamycin is a **polyene antifungal antibiotic** derived from *Streptomyces pimprina* and historically developed and manufactured in India, notably by Hindustan Antibiotics. It is a heptaene macrolide polyene that exists as closely related components, hamycin A and hamycin B. Its antifungal activity is mediated by binding fungal membrane sterols, particularly **ergosterol**, leading to disruption of membrane permeability and cell death. Hamycin has been used as a topical, oral, vaginal, and less commonly systemic antifungal agent for infections such as candidiasis, otomycosis, aspergillosis, and cutaneous mycoses; older reports also describe antiprotozoal activity against *Trichomonas vaginalis* and *Leishmania donovani*. Conventional parenteral use has been limited by toxicity, and liposomal formulations have been investigated to improve tolerability while preserving antifungal efficacy.

Other names

hamycinhamycin Ahamycin B