Terbinafine
Description
Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat fungal infections like athlete's foot (itchy, scaly, and white patches between the toes), jock itch (red, itchy, and ring-shaped rashes in the groin, the area where the upper thigh meets the lowest part of the stomach), ringworm (red, itchy, and circular-shaped rashes with clear skin in the middle affecting the skin, scalp, or nails), nail infections, etc.
Terbinafine works by killing the fungi by damaging its cell membrane (protective covering) and making it weaker. Thus, it prevents the spread of fungal infections. It is available in oral forms (tablet/ dispersible tablet) and topical forms (cream/gel/lotion/spray/dusting powder).
Terbinafine oral forms show side effects like nausea, vomiting, skin rash, headache, loss of appetite, etc. Topical forms may cause side effects like burning sensation, redness, or itching at the site of application. These side effects are usually mild and subside with time. If any of these side effects do not resolve with time or worsen, consult your doctor.
Terbinafine oral forms can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment based on the severity of your condition. For topical forms, apply the medicine uniformly over the affected area as instructed by your doctor.
Terbinafine should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Oral forms of this medicine should be used with caution if you have liver or kidney problems. Your doctor may monitor your liver function regularly during treatment with Terbinafine. Inform your doctor if you notice the yellowing colouring of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.
Terbinafine may interact with other medicines and cause undesired effects. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Terbinafine
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Change in mood
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Increase liver enzymes
- Application site redness, itching, and burning
Uses of Terbinafine
What is it prescribed for?
- Athlete's foot
- Jock itch
- Ringworm infection
- Other fungal skin infections
- Onychomycosis
- Cutaneous Candidiasis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken for Terbinafine to show its action is not known.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which Terbinafine remains effective in your body is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?Terbinafine has no habit-forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Terbinafine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Terbinafine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Terbinafine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Liver Disease
Terbinafine is not recommended for use if you have liver problems. This medicine may cause further liver damage and worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Terbinafine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Terbinafine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Allergic skin reactions
Oral Terbinafine may cause serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a serious skin condition that causes painful rashes and blisters that may start to peel), toxic epidermal necrolysis (a severe skin condition that causes blistering and peeling of the skin), etc. Consult your doctor if you experience a skin rash that persists or becomes worse.
Blood cell count
In rare cases, oral Terbinafine may cause a decrease in the blood cell counts. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have low blood cell counts. Your doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts during treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may further recommend an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Driving or operating machines
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy during treatment with oral Terbinafine.
External use only
Terbinafine topical forms are recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with water.
Missed Dose
Take/apply the missed dose of Terbinafine as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take/apply a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with Terbinafine.
Topical forms: Since Terbinafine is intended for external use, the likelihood of an overdose is low. However, do not apply more than the prescribed dose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Leflunomide
Codeine
Doxepine
Clozapine
Carvedilol
Disease interactions
Depression
Depression is a mental condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. Oral Terbinafine may cause depression in some cases. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have depression. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience depressive symptoms.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia refers to low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps the body to fight infection) in your blood. Oral Terbinafine may cause neutropenia in some cases. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have neutropenia. Your doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor the blood counts during treatment with this medicine.
Kidney disease
Terbinafine is filtered by the kidneys and removed from the body via urine. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have kidney problems.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Terbinafine oral forms can be taken with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Never take more or less than the prescribed dose.
Your doctor may monitor your liver functions and blood cell counts regularly during treatment with this medicine.
Terbinafine topical forms are meant for external use only. Apply the medicine to the affected areas of the skin as instructed by your doctor.
Complete the course of treatment even if you feel better after a few doses. If you stop taking this medicine early, the infection may reappear or worsen, which may be difficult to treat.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Terbinafine works by stopping the production of a chemical known as ergosterol, which is responsible for forming the fungal cell membrane (the protective covering of the fungi). Thus, it kills the fungi and stops the spread of infections.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antifungals
Schedule
Schedule H
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Information on this page was last updated on 20 Jan 2023
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