How does terbinafine cream work

Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

Dated February Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. Very rarely some may experience more severe side effects including: Blistering, swelling, or oozing from the application site.

Allergic reactions to this medication are rare, but look out for allergic reaction signs including: Rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you experience severe side effects or signs of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are treating a skin fungal infection, you can find Terbinafine cream over the counter in generic form or under the brand name Lamisil. If you have a nail fungal infection, you need to have a consultation with a physician before treatment as these types of infections tend to be more complicated. Our Nail Formula is an antifungal combination product that integrates 2 antifungals with a pharmaceutical-grade driving agent to help get the medication through the nails.

Schedule an Online Visit with our U. Terbinafine is an antifungal agent that works by blocking an integral part of the fungal cell walls. Apply enough Terbinafine cream as needed to cover the entire affected area, rub in gently, and wash hands after application.

If you are receiving a prescription Terbinafine product for nail fungus, the treatment can take months to over a year. The most common side effects of Terbinafine are minor and include a burning sensation, slight itching, or irritation at the application site. If you are trying to treat a nail infection, you must meet with a doctor for prescription treatment.

Select a treatment to get started For him. Hair loss. Dutasteride Custom Hair Loss Formulas. The cream, gel or spray usually starts to work within a few days. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks.

Terbinafine tablets can take several weeks to work. If you have completed the course of tablets and still have symptoms, talk to your doctor. Some fungal nail infections take 6 months or longer to get better. Nail infections often get better more quickly in younger people. Infections on the big toe often take longer to clear up than on other toes.

Terbinafine is usually used for a short time to clear an infection. Do not use it for longer than your pharmacist or doctor has recommended. If you use it too often or for too long, the medicine may not work so well. This is because fungal infections can become "resistant" to terbinafine. For some infections, such as fungal nail infections, you may need to take terbinafine tablets for up to 3 months sometimes longer. It is safe to take long-term if your doctor tells you to.

If taking terbinafine is not working to clear an infection, your doctor may ask you to take it for longer or they may prescribe a different antifungal medicine. There are many different antifungal medicines. Some are available to buy from a pharmacy, others are available on prescription. They can come as creams, gels and sprays, pessaries soft tablets you put into your vagina , tablets, capsules and liquid, or injections. Your doctor or a pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you, based on your condition.

If you take terbinafine tablets for a long time, your doctor may ask you to come back for a blood test. This is to check that your liver is working properly. There is a small chance less than 1 in 1, that terbinafine can affect your liver. It is important to continue using terbinafine until you finish the course, even if your symptoms get better.

Follow the instructions from your doctor or on the leaflet that comes with the medicine. If you stop using your terbinafine too soon, or if you do not use it as recommended, the fungal infection could come back. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking of stopping your treatment for any reason. Terbinafine tablets may increase the effects of caffeine. Having too much caffeine can give you headaches, stop you sleeping, make you feel agitated and it can make you pee more.

It's a good idea to avoid having too much caffeine while taking the tablets. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, colas, energy drinks and chocolate. Other than this, you can eat and drink normally while using or taking terbinafine. Terbinafine is not likely to affect your contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. If taking terbinafine makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Find out what to do if you're taking the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There have been some reports of "breakthrough bleeding" known as spotting when people take terbinafine tablets and the combined pill together.

It is not known whether this is to do with the terbinafine. If you get any breakthrough bleeding while using oral contraception, speak to your doctor. There is no clear evidence that terbinafine reduces fertility in either men or women.

If using terbinafine cream, gel, spray or solution, then it's OK to donate blood. But if you are taking terbinafine tablets, it is important to wait at least 7 days after completing the course of tablets before giving blood. But if taking terbinafine makes you feel dizzy, tired or very unwell, do not drive or ride a bike until you feel OK again.

Page last reviewed: 7 May Next review due: 7 May Terbinafine - Brands: Lamisil On this page About terbinafine Key facts Who can and cannot take terbinafine How and when to take terbinafine Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About terbinafine Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat skin infections caused by a fungus yeast , including: athlete's foot fungal nail infections ringworm jock itch sometimes called dhobie itch, an infection in the groin area pityriasis versicolor this causes small patches of scaly and discoloured skin, often on your back, chest, upper arms, neck and tummy Terbinafine comes as a cream, gel or spray for treating athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch and pityriasis versicolor.

Terbinafine tablets are only available on prescription. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Many fungal infections get better within 7 days of treatment with terbinafine — nail infections can take 3 months or more. When using terbinafine on your skin, the most common side effect is irritation in the area where you apply it.

If you're taking the tablets, the most common side effects are having a smaller appetite than usual, pain in your joints or muscles, or upset stomach. The cream, gel and spray usually start to work within a week, and the tablets can take between 2 weeks and a few months to work.

Brand names for terbinafine tablets and cream include Lamisil. Brand names for the solution for athlete's foot include Lamisil Once. To make sure terbinafine is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: have had an allergic reaction to terbinafine or any other medicines in the past To make sure the tablets are safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: have ever had liver or kidney problems are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding.

How to use terbinafine cream or gel Put the cream or gel on the infected area once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Wash your hands before using the cream or gel. Wash and dry the infected skin where the cream or gel will go.

Clean and dry the affected area of skin thoroughly before applying the cream. Take care to avoid getting the cream in your eyes, nose or mouth. Rinse it out with water if you accidentally get it in these areas.

Use the cream for as long as your doctor tells you to. This will usually be one week for athlete's foot, one to two weeks for ringworm or jock itch and two weeks for pityriasis or candidiasis. It's important to complete the course, even if your symptoms have cleared up, otherwise the infection could come back.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that may be associated with Lamisil cream. Just because a side effect is stated here doesn't mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.