terbinafine
Treatment options
Buy terbinafine safely, securely and easily in a few simple steps. Start a consultation today to check your eligibility with a prescribing clinician, at no cost to you.
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What to do if you missed your terbinafine dose
The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.
Learn more about reporting side effectsOther known brand names
Lamisil
About terbinafine
Terbinafine hydrochloride is an antifungal medication used to treat fungal skin infections, including:
- Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
- Fungal nail infections
- Ringworm (tinea capitis)
- Jock itch (tinea cruris)
Terbinafine is available with a prescription and over the counter as Lamisil. Now Patient offers terbinafine as a treatment for fungal nail infections only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of terbinafine
- For the treatment of fungal infections
- Terbinafine can take up to 3 months to work for nail infections
- Terbinafine has some common side effects which include skin irritation when used topically and stomach pain when taken by mouth
- It can be dangerous if you take terbinafine with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Make sure you finish the course of terbinafine. Stopping treatment too soon may allow the fungal infection to come back
Who is terbinafine suitable for?
Terbinafine tablets, cream and gel are suitable for adults and children aged 1 and over. Creams, gels and sprays available to buy in pharmacies are suitable for patients aged 16 years and over. Terbinafine in solution form is only suitable for adults 18 years of age and over.
Who is terbinafine not suitable for?
Terbinafine may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking terbinafine if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to terbinafine in the past
- Have ever had liver disease
- Have kidney problems
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding
How and where to get terbinafine?
Terbinafine is available from a number of sources. It is available on prescription or over the counter at a pharmacy.
Now Patient does not allow customers to buy terbinafine directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of a fungal nail infection, you can discuss if terbinafine is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.
Dosage and strength for terbinafine for fungal toenail infections
Terbinafine is available as 250 mg tablets and in solution form when used for fungal nail infections.
Information about how to take terbinafine for fungal nail infections
The typical dose of terbinafine tablets is 250 mg once daily for up to 3 months. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Take oral terbinafine with or without food at the same time each day. If you’re using the solution, you will only use it once daily.
Continue taking terbinafine until the course is finished. If you stop using your terbinafine too early, the fungal infection may come back.
What happens if you take too much terbinafine?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much terbinafine and you experience any side effects.
What are the side effects of terbinafine?
Side effects of terbinafine are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Skin Rash
- Skin reactions
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Losing your sense of taste
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Muscle or joint pain
- Changes in vision
Serious side effects include:
- Liver problems – symptoms include yellowing of the whites of your eyes and/or skin, pale stools and dark urine. These can be signs of a change in your liver function
- Bruising more easily
- Unusual tiredness
- Inflamed pancreas
- Muscles weakness or pain
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Hives
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here: how and where do i report side effects of my medication
Information about taking terbinafine at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and terbinafine. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications when starting treatment with terbinafine.
- Cimetidine
- Cyclosporine
- Fluconazole, kketoconazole
- Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors such as rasagiline
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram
- Blood thinners such as warfarin
- Codeine or tramadol
Why might terbinafine not work for fungal nail infections?
Terbinafine may not work for you if the fungal infection has become resistant to terbinafine. Speak to your doctor if terbinafine has stopped working for you.
Can terbinafine taken for fungal nail infections be taken long term?
Terbinafine tablets or solution are normally taken or used for up to 3 months when treating fungal nail infections. You should speak to your doctor if your need to use this medication for longer.
Is there a herbal terbinafine?
No. Herbal terbinafine does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking terbinafine?
Terbinafine tablets may increase the effects of caffeine, so it’s a good idea to not have too much caffeine while taking these tablets. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks and chocolate. Otherwise, you can eat and drink as normal while using or taking terbinafine.
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with fungal nail infections?
To prevent fungal nail infections:
- Treat athlete’s foot immediately, to avoid it spreading to nails
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Wear clean socks
- Do not share nail clippers or scissors
Alternatives to terbinafine
Alternatives for the treatment of fungal nail infections include Loceryl nail lacquer.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Important Information
What are the side effects of taking terbinafine?
Is weight gain a side effect of terbinafine?
How common is liver damage from terbinafine?
What organs does terbinafine affect?
How long can you be on terbinafine?
What is the success rate of terbinafine tablets?
When do terbinafine side effects start?
Does terbinafine cause weight loss?
Does terbinafine make you tired?
What should you avoid while taking terbinafine?
Why can't you eat chocolate with terbinafine?
Why can't you drink coffee with terbinafine?
Who Cannot use terbinafine?
Does terbinafine make you gain weight?
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking terbinafine?
Is it bad to take terbinafine at night?
Is terbinafine good or bad for you?
Does terbinafine keep working after you stop taking it?
How long is it safe to take terbinafine?
When is the best time to take terbinafine tablets?
Why should I avoid sunlight while taking terbinafine?
What should be monitored when taking terbinafine?
How long does it take for terbinafine to work on fungus?
Does fungus come back after terbinafine?
Is terbinafine 100% effective?
What is the success rate of terbinafine?
How can I tell if terbinafine is working?
Does terbinafine get rid of toenail fungus?
Does terbinafine cause weight gain?
Should I take terbinafine in the morning or at night?
Can you scrape off toenail fungus?
What is the success rate of terbinafine for toenail fungus?
Is terbinafine the best antifungal?
What is the strongest antifungal medicine?
Does toenail fungus come back after terbinafine?
Can I buy terbinafine over the counter?
How long can you take terbinafine for?
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