Terbinafine
About Terbinafine
Terbinafine is a prescription medicine used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails, toenails, and skin. It is primarily prescribed for stubborn or deep-seated fungal issues that topical creams cannot reach. By targeting the infection from within the body, it helps clear the fungus and allows healthy tissue to grow back.
For best results, this medicine must be taken consistently every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food, but taking it at the same time each day helps keep a steady amount of the medicine in your system. Incorporating simple lifestyle habits, such as keeping the infected areas clean and dry, can also help speed up your recovery.
While most people tolerate this medicine well, some may experience mild side effects like upset stomach, headache, or temporary taste changes. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of serious liver damage, such as dark urine, unusual tiredness, or yellowing of your eyes and skin.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, or if you suffer from autoimmune conditions like lupus. Do not take this if you have active or chronic liver disease, or if you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine in the past.
This medicine can interact with certain other prescriptions, alcohol, and caffeine, which may alter its effectiveness or increase your risk of side effects. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this treatment is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Terbinafine
• Treatment of onychomycosis: Terbinafine is usually prescribed for fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails.
• Management of tinea corporis: Terbinafine is used to treat ringworm infections throughout the body.
• Relief of tinea cruris: Terbinafine is used to manage fungal infections in the groin area, also known as jock itch.
• Control of tinea pedis: Terbinafine effectively treats athlete’s foot, a fungal infection of the feet.
• Treatment of tinea capitis: Terbinafine is used to treat scalp ringworm, especially in children.
• Support in resistant fungal infections: Terbinafine is used to treat fungal infections that do not respond well to topical treatments.
Medicinal Benefits
Terbinafine treats fungal infections from within the body by reaching areas that topical medicines may not effectively penetrate. With regular use as prescribed, it helps eliminate the infection, relieve symptoms, and promote healthy skin and nail regrowth.
- Treats Fungal Infections from Within: By circulating through the bloodstream, this medicine reaches the deeper layers of the skin and nail bed, helping eliminate the fungus at its source.
- Relieves Symptoms and Promotes Healing: This medicine helps reduce itching, redness, scaling, and other symptoms of fungal infections while supporting the skin's natural healing process.
- Supports Healthy Skin and Nail Regrowth: As the infection clears, this medicine promotes the growth of healthy, infection-free skin and nails, reducing nail discolouration and improving their overall appearance.
Directions for Use
- Terbinafine can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- It is usually taken once daily; however, follow your doctor's advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Terbinafine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach, nausea, or mild abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea or indigestion
- Temporary changes in taste or loss of taste
- Headache or a feeling of fullness
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage (extreme tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, severe upper stomach pain)
- Severe skin reactions (widespread rash, blistering, peeling skin, or fever)
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing)
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Get your liver function tested regularly if your doctor recommends it, as this medicine can affect liver health.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or UV rays, as this medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunburn.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your sense of taste or smell, as these are recognised side effects that typically resolve after stopping treatment.
- Inform your dentist or any surgeon that you are taking Terbinafine before undergoing any medical procedures.
- Never share your medication with anyone else, even if they have the exact same symptoms.
Drug Interactions
- Antidepressants: Terbinafine may interact with certain antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants, potentially increasing their levels in your bloodstream and raising the risk of side effects. Your doctor may monitor your treatment and adjust the dose if necessary.
- Beta-Blockers: Taking Terbinafine with beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions may affect how these medicines are processed. Your doctor may monitor your response and adjust your dose if needed.
- Rifampin: The antibiotic rifampin may speed up the breakdown of Terbinafine in your body, reducing its effectiveness. Your doctor may recommend an alternative treatment or adjust your dose.
- Cimetidine: Cimetidine, a medicine used to reduce stomach acid, may slow the breakdown of Terbinafine, increasing its levels in your bloodstream and raising the risk of side effects. Your doctor may recommend closer monitoring during treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorInteraction of alcohol with Terbinafine is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Terbinafine.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorTerbinafine is a Category B pregnancy drug and is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeTerbinafine may be excreted in human milk and harm the baby. Therefore, it is not advised for breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionTerbinafine may cause dizziness. Therefore, drive only if you alert after taking Terbinafine.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Terbinafine. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Terbinafine. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeTerbinafine is not recommended for children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine to minimise stress on your liver.
- Keep your skin and nails clean and dry, as fungi thrive in warm, moist environments.
- Wear breathable cotton socks and loose-fitting clothing, and change them daily.
- Do not share personal items like towels, nail clippers, socks, or shoes to prevent spreading the infection or getting reinfected.
- Wear protective footwear, such as sandals or shower shoes, in public damp areas like locker rooms, communal showers, and pool decks.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise blood tests before you start Terbinafine to check for liver problems.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): They are common infections of toenails or fingernails caused by different types of fungi living in the environment. These germs enter the nail through small cracks in the nail or surrounding skin and cause infection. The symptoms include thick, or discoloured (brown, yellow or white) nails and nails more likely to break. Unless it becomes severe, it is usually not painful. Fungal infections are more common in toenails than in fingernails.
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 fungal infections of toenails and fingernails.
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. Thereby, kills fungi and clears the fungal infection.
You are recommended to avoid foods containing chocolate and caffeine, such as cocoa beans, tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks, while taking Terbinafine as it may increase the adverse effects of caffeine.
Terbinafine may increase the skin sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, avoid or limit 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 usually improve within several weeks after stopping Terbinafine, but may become permanent or last for a long time. However, if you have a poor appetite, unintended weight loss, loss of taste or changes in taste or a change in mood or depressive symptoms, inform your doctor.
You are not recommended to stop using Terbinafine without consulting your doctor, as it may cause recurring infections. Therefore, take Terbinafine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Terbinafine, please consult your doctor.
Terbinafine is not recommended for patients with chronic or active liver disease. Your doctor may recommend a liver function test to monitor whether your liver is functioning effectively. This is done since the medicine gets metabolised by liver enzymes, and any inefficiency in liver function can lead to increased levels of Terbinafine in the blood, resulting in increased side effects and toxicity. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any liver disease or cirrhosis and about the medicines you may be taking, as taking Terbinafine with another medicine can lead to liver toxicity.
Yes, Terbinafine may cause skin reactions in sensitive people. There are rare reports of people developing serious skin/hypersensitivity reactions like toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and other severe skin reactions with Terbinafine. Therefore, do not take Terbinafine without consulting your doctor. If you experience any type of skin reaction or rashes, stop taking it immediately and inform your doctor.
Terbinafine is effective as an antifungal medicine if taken in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not discontinue taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop taking Terbinafine too early, the fungus may continue to grow and the infection may recur or worsen.
Yes, Terbinafine can be taken with or without food.
Terbinafine may cause side effects such as nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach pain, taste disturbance and headache. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Terbinafine and use sunscreen while going out in the sun, as Terbinafine may increase skin sensitivity. Regular monitoring of liver function is recommended while taking Terbinafine.
If you suspect an overdose of Terbinafine, seek medical help immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Both alcohol and Terbinafine are processed by the liver, and combining them can significantly increase your risk of liver damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.
Yes, your doctor will likely order blood tests to monitor your liver function before you start taking this medicine and periodically during your treatment course. This is a safety measure to ensure your liver remains healthy.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor before taking this medicine. It is typically not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
Yes, this medicine can slow down how your body clears caffeine, which might make you feel jittery, anxious, or cause a rapid heartbeat. It is best to limit your intake of coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate while on this medication.
Early warning signs of liver damage include unexplained nausea, persistent tiredness, loss of appetite, dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. If you notice any of these, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor right away.
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