Terbinafine is a medication used to treat fungal infections. Typical forms of infection include tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and tinea cruris (jock itch).
Treatment is either prescribed as a cream or as tablets depending on the severity and nature of the infection. Creams and powders are more effective when used to combat superficial skin infections. For more serious infections as well as nail infections, the tablet form will normally be recommended.
Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine that works by forcing holes into fungal cell membranes. Cell membranes are vital to the survival of fungi. When damaged, the contents spill out, subsequently clearing the infection.
The length of treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection. However, courses usually last for between 2 weeks and 6 months. They will also be extended in the case of extreme infections; for example, badly infected toenails can take over 6 months to treat.
If you have seen no visible changes after the prescribed course, you should inform your doctor so that they can investigate further.
The standard dose of Terbinafine for adults is 250mg tablet once daily. You should take tablets with water and it can be taken either before or after food.. For optimal results, you should take doses around the same time daily.Keep taking a tablet every day until the course is finished; otherwise, your infection may come back.
If you do forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, leave out the forgotten dose from the previous day and take the dose that is due as normal. Do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose. You should avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages while using this treatment.
When using tablets for fungal skin infections, the usual recommended course is between 2 to 6 weeks. For nail infections, courses usually last for between 6 weeks and 3 months (although severe infections can last for up to 6 months).
If you are prescribed Terbinafine in a tablet form, you should have your liver function monitored before and during treatment. Your doctor will do this with a simple blood test.
Always use this medication exactly as your clinician has told you. Check with our clinical team or your GP or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Common side effects can include:
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, or you are experiencing any of the side effects mentioned in the patient information leaflet whilst taking this medication, please contact our clinical team or speak to your GP.
You should not take Terbinafine if you:
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Have any problems with your kidneys or liver
- Have psoriasis
- Have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Have an auto-immune condition
If you are prescribed Terbinafine tablets, stop taking them and call a doctor immediately if:
- You get yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow or if you have pale poo and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
- You bruise more easily or get infections more easily – these can be signs of a blood disorder
- You have a high temperature with a rash, itchy skin and unusual tiredness, or if you notice any purple spots under your skin – these can be signs of an inflammation of the blood vessels called vasculitis
- You get severe pain near the top of your stomach that spreads to your back – this can be a sign of an inflamed pancreas
- Your muscles feel weak or painful, or your pee is a dark red-brown – these can be signs of muscle problems.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to this medication. These include:
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Fast or pounding heartbeats
- Wheezing
- Difficult breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are currently taking. You must also tell us about any other medical conditions that you currently have (or had in the past). This will help us ensure the prescribed medication is safe and appropriate for you to take.
For full information on warnings, medication interactions and contraindications, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet. Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform our clinical team or your GP of medicines you are taking or intend to take.
