Indications
- Terbinafine is a medication used to treat various fungal skin infections, including:
- Ringworm
- Athlete’s foot
- Jock itch
- It’s also used for pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a lightening or darkening of the skin caused by a fungus.
- Terbinafine works by stopping the growth of fungus.
Dosage and administration
- Apply terbinafine only to the affected skin. Clean and dry the area thoroughly first.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area and surrounding skin, once or twice daily as directed by the package or your doctor. Wash your hands after applying, unless treating your hands.
- Don’t bandage or cover the area unless your doctor tells you to.
- Avoid getting terbinafine in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Rinse with water if it gets in these areas.
- Don’t use terbinafine on your scalp or nails unless your doctor instructs you to.
- Dosage and treatment length depend on the infection. Don’t use more often or for longer than prescribed.
- Use terbinafine regularly, ideally at the same time(s) each day.
- Continue using terbinafine for the entire prescribed time, even if symptoms improve. Stopping early may cause the infection to return.
- It may take several weeks after treatment for the infection to fully clear. See your doctor if your condition worsens or doesn’t improve within 2 weeks (jock itch/ringworm) or 4 weeks (athlete’s foot).
Side effects
- Terbinafine may cause burning, irritation, or itching at the application site. Tell your doctor if these effects bother you.
- Serious side effects are rare but tell your doctor right away if you experience blistering, swelling, or oozing at the application site.
- In rare cases, terbinafine may cause a serious allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you notice rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
- This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice other effects not listed above.
Precautions
- Before using terbinafine, tell your doctor about any allergies you have, especially to other antifungal medications or to terbinafine ingredients.
- Talk to your doctor about any health problems you have before using terbinafine.
- Pregnant women should only use terbinafine if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- It is unknown if terbinefine applied to the skin passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.