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

Quick overview

Terbinafine Tablet (terbinafine hydrochloride) is a prescription allylamine antifungal taken by mouth to treat fungal infections of the nails, skin, and scalp. It works by blocking an enzyme fungi need to build their cell membranes, which kills the fungus. It is taken once daily for a full prescribed course, and carries warnings about liver problems and other serious risks.

What is Terbinafine Tablet

Terbinafine is a prescription antifungal medicine used to treat fungal infections. It comes as a tablet taken by mouth.

Terbinafine Tablet uses

• Fungal infections of the toenails or fingernails (onychomycosis) caused by dermatophyte fungi
• Fungal infections of the skin, including ringworm of the body (tinea corporis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and athlete's foot (tinea pedis) that have not responded to topical treatment
• Fungal infections of the scalp

Benefits of Terbinafine Tablet

• Clears fungal infections of the nails caused by dermatophytes
• Effective for skin fungal infections such as ringworm, jock itch, and athlete's foot

How Terbinafine Tablet works

Terbinafine works by blocking an enzyme the fungus needs to build its cell membrane. This causes a buildup of another substance inside the fungal cells, which kills the fungus and clears the infection.

Terbinafine Tablet dosage

Take the tablet by mouth with water, preferably at the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food. Keep taking the medicine for the full length of treatment your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms start to improve, since fungal infections can be slow to clear and stopping early may cause the infection to return.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective for treating nail fungal infections in children. Elderly patients can take the same dose as younger adults, but caution is advised because of a greater chance of reduced liver, kidney, or heart function.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Terbinafine Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Itching (pruritus)
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Gas (flatulence)
• Taste disturbance

Serious

• Liver problems that can lead to liver transplant or death
• Severe or permanent taste loss or disturbance
• Smell disturbance or loss of smell
• Depressive symptoms
• Severe drop in white blood cells (neutropenia), increasing infection risk
• Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous dermatitis, and DRESS syndrome
• New or worsening lupus erythematosus
• Blood clotting problems such as thrombotic microangiopathy
• Serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure, that may require a liver transplant or lead to death. This can happen even in people who never had liver problems before.
• Loss or change in taste has been reported and can be severe, long-lasting, or even permanent.
• Loss or change in sense of smell has been reported and may be long-lasting or permanent.
• Some people have developed depression while taking this medicine.
• This medicine can cause a severe drop in a type of white blood cell, which should lead to stopping the medicine.
• Serious skin reactions have occurred with this medicine and require stopping treatment right away.
• This medicine can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds.
• This medicine can trigger or worsen lupus, an autoimmune disease.
• Rare cases of a serious blood clotting problem called thrombotic microangiopathy have occurred, some fatal.
• There isn't enough information to know if terbinafine is safe during pregnancy. 
• Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Terbinafine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, so talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you need this medicine.
• This medicine has not been well studied in people with kidney problems, so it is generally not recommended for those with reduced kidney function.
• Do not take this medicine if you have ongoing or active liver disease. 
• Your doctor should check your liver function with a blood test before you start and may check it again during treatment.
• If you feel dizzy while taking this medicine, avoid driving or operating machinery.

Storage

• Store tablets at 20° to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
• Keep in a tightly closed container
• Protect from light
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed; ask your healthcare professional how to dispose of unused medicine

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of liver problems: nausea, poor appetite, tiredness, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.
• Get emergency help right away for signs of a serious allergic or skin reaction: hives, mouth sores, blistering or peeling skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
• Tell your doctor if you notice a change in taste or smell, or symptoms of depression such as feeling sad, changes in sleep or mood, loss of interest in activities, or restlessness.
• Tell your doctor about any new symptoms like cough, chest pain, fast heartbeat, or blood in your urine.
• Stop the medicine and tell your doctor if you develop a worsening skin rash that is scaly, red, or scarring, or unusual sun sensitivity that causes a rash — these can be signs of lupus.
• Tell your doctor about any unexplained bleeding or bruising, which could be a sign of a blood clotting problem.
• Call your doctor if you take too many terbinafine tablets, even if you don't have symptoms.

Alternatives

• Lamisil
• Terbinex