Name the broad spectrum antifungal commonly used for nail infections.

Terbinafine is recognized as a broad-spectrum antifungal agent commonly used for nail infections, specifically onychomycosis. It works by inhibiting the activity of squalene epoxidase, an enzyme crucial for the synthesis of ergosterol, a key component of fungal cell membranes. By disrupting ergosterol production, terbinafine compromises the integrity of the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death.

This broad-spectrum efficacy makes terbinafine particularly suitable for treating various dermatophyte infections, including nail infections, where deep nail penetration is required for effectiveness. The oral formulation of terbinafine is often preferred for treating nail infections because it concentrates in the nail bed, ensuring that the active ingredient reaches the site of infection.

In contrast, other antifungals listed, such as fluconazole and griseofulvin, may be effective for some dermatophyte infections but are not specifically favored for nail infections. Fluconazole is generally more effective against certain systemic fungal infections, and griseofulvin is primarily used for skin and scalp infections but has limited efficacy in treating onychomycosis compared to terbinafine. Caspofungin is an echinocandin antifungal primarily used for systemic fungal