Terbinafine Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Terbinafine Cream contains the antifungal medicine terbinafine and is applied to the skin to treat fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, tinea versicolor, and cutaneous candidiasis. It works by damaging the outer covering of the fungus, which weakens and kills it, helping clear up the skin. It is for external use only, and the full course should be completed even if the skin looks better early on.

What is Terbinafine Cream

Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine. The cream form is applied to the skin to treat fungal infections.

Terbinafine Cream uses

• Athlete's foot (itchy, scaly, and white patches between the toes)
• Jock itch (red, itchy, ring-shaped rashes in the groin area)
• Ringworm (red, itchy, circular-shaped rashes affecting the skin, scalp, or nails)
• Tinea versicolor (small, discoloured patches on the skin)
• Cutaneous candidiasis (a skin infection caused by Candida fungi, common in warm, moist areas of the body)

Benefits of Terbinafine Cream

• Kills the fungi causing the infection and helps clear up the skin

How Terbinafine Cream works

Terbinafine works by damaging the protective outer covering of the fungus, which weakens and kills it. This stops the fungal infection from spreading.

Terbinafine Cream dosage

Apply the cream evenly over the affected area of skin as instructed by your doctor. Terbinafine cream is for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. If it gets into these areas by accident, rinse thoroughly with water.

Finish the full course of treatment even if your skin looks better after a few days, because stopping early may let the infection come back or get worse and become harder to treat.

If you miss applying a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one — do not apply a double amount to make up for it.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Gel
• Lotion
• Spray
• Dusting powder
• Tablet
• Dispersible tablet

Side effects of Terbinafine Cream

Common

• Burning sensation, redness, or itching at the site of application
• Peeling or itching skin

Serious

• Allergic reaction: skin rash, itching or swelling especially of your face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or breathing difficulty

Warnings and precautions

• Terbinafine cream is for use on the skin only. Avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this happens by accident, rinse the area thoroughly with water.
• Do not use terbinafine if you are allergic to it. Get medical help right away if you notice a rash, itching or swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
• Terbinafine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Terbinafine is not recommended while breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Terbinafine is not recommended if you have liver problems, as it may cause further liver damage and worsen your condition.
• It is not known exactly how terbinafine interacts with alcohol. It's best to check with your doctor before drinking alcohol.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark urine, or pale stools, as these can be signs of liver problems.
• Call for emergency help if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; fast breathing or trouble breathing; a tight throat; blue, grey, or pale skin; or sudden confusion, drowsiness, or fainting.

Alternatives

• Ciclopirox
• Itraconazole (Sporanox)