Terbinafine
About Terbinafine
Terbinafine belongs to a class of drugs called antifungals used to treat tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) in children aged 4 years and above. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp that is contagious and causes bald, itchy, and scaly patches of the ring shape.
Terbinafine contains Terbinafine, an antifungal drug that works by damaging the fungal cell membranes essential for their survival as they prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stop the leakage of cell contents. Thereby, kills fungi and clears the fungal infection.
Use Terbinafine as directed by your doctor. Use it till completion of the full course as your doctor prescribed. Terbinafine may cause some common side effects such as fever, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, cough and nasal congestion. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your child’s doctor.
If your child is allergic to terbinafine, please inform your doctor. Avoid or limit sun exposure using Terbinafine as it may make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen while going out to protect the skin from sunburn.
Uses of Terbinafine
Medicinal Benefits
Terbinafine is an antifungal used to treat tinea capitis (scalp ringworm). Terbinafine destroys fungal cell membranes that are essential for their survival as they prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stop the leakage of cell contents. Thus, it kills fungi and clears infection. Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm).
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Sprinkle the granules on a spoonful of soft food like mashed potatoes or pudding and give it to the child. It should be swallowed without chewing.
- Do not sprinkle the granules onto fruit-based soft food like applesauce.
Storage
Side Effects of Terbinafine
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
Drug Warnings
If your child is allergic to terbinafine, please inform your doctor. Avoid or limit sun exposure while using Terbinafine as it may make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen while going out to protect the skin from sunburn. If you notice depressive symptoms in your child such as feeling worthless or sad, loss of interest or energy in daily activities, mood changes, restlessness, or change in sleep pattern, inform your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Terbinafine may interact with drugs used to treat stomach ulcers (cimetidine), antibiotics (rifampin), antifungal (fluconazole), medicine used to treat high blood pressure (metoprolol), antidepressants (desipramine), CNS stimulant (caffeine), heart-related medicines (amiodarone) and immunosuppressant (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Terbinafine may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid giving foods containing chocolate and caffeine such as cocoa beans, tea, coffee, and cola to your child as it may increase the adverse effects of caffeine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If your child has lupus (an autoimmune disease), a weakened immune system, or liver problems, inform your doctor.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
not applicable-
Pregnancy
not applicable-
Breast Feeding
not applicable-
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
consult your doctorIf your child has a history of liver diseases/conditions, please inform your doctor.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf your child has a history of kidney diseases/conditions, please inform your doctor.
Children
cautionTerbinafine is safe to use for children aged 4 years and above if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Shampoo your child's scalp regularly, especially after a haircut.
- Use scalp conditioning products such as pomades with selenium and coconut oil as they might help to prevent scalp ringworm.
- Make sure your children wash their hands regularly, even after playing with pets and keep their skin clean and dry.
- Avoid infected animals.
- Keep shared areas clean, especially childcare centres and schools.
- Teach children to avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, hairbrushes, etc.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may recommend blood tests for your child before giving Terbinafine to check for liver problems.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm): It is a fungal infection of the scalp that involves both hair and skin. It is contagious and the symptoms include dry, itchy, scaly patches, hair loss and redness. The name ringworm is due to its circular shape. It mostly occurs in children between 3 to 7 years of age.
FAQs
Terbinafine is used to treat Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm).
Terbinafine works by damaging the fungal cell membranes that are essential for their survival as they prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stop the leakage of cell contents. Thus, it kills fungi and clears the fungal infection.
Terbinafine may increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, avoid or limit your child’s exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. You are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going out to prevent sunburn. However, if you notice any unusual skin sensitivity while using Terbinafine, such as a rash, please consult a doctor.
Terbinafine may cause changes in taste or loss of taste as a side effect. It may improve within several weeks after stopping the use of Terbinafine, but it may also become permanent or last for a long time. However, if your child has a poor appetite, unintended weight loss, loss of taste or changes in taste or mood or depressive symptoms, inform your doctor.
