Terbinafine

Common Brand Names

Lamisil, Terbisil, Terbipac, Terbaris, Terbinaforce, Terbinadoc, Ecoter

Overview

Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine. It's 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 stomach
• candidal skin infections

Terbinafine comes as a cream, gel or spray for treating athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, pityriasis versicolor and candidal skin infections. There's also a liquid (solution) for athlete's foot. 

Important Facts

• Many fungal infections get better within 1 to 2 weeks of treatment with terbinafine. Nail infections can take 3 months or more.
• 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.
• When using terbinafine on your skin, the most common side effect is irritation in the area where you put it on.
• 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.
• It's important to finish the course of terbinafine, even if your symptoms get better. If you stop using it too soon the fungal infection could come back.

• Do not give blood while taking terbinafine tablets. You'll need to wait at least 7 days after finishing the tablets before giving blood.