Skip to main content

Terbinafine

Generic name: terbinafine [ ter-BIN-na-feen ]
Brand name: LamISIL
Dosage form: oral tablet (250 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antifungals

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 31, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is terbinafine?

Terbinafine is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus.

Terbinafine tablets are used to treat infections caused by fungus that affect the fingernails or toenails.

Terbinafine oral granules are used to treat a fungal infection of scalp hair follicles in children who are at least 4 years old.

Terbinafine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Terbinafine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using terbinafine.

Some people taking terbinafine have developed severe liver damage leading to liver transplant or death. It is not clear whether terbinafine actually caused the liver damage in these patients. In most cases, the patient had a serious medical condition before taking terbinafine.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of liver damage, such as nausea, upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These events can occur whether or not you have ever had liver problems before.

Also call your doctor if you have:

Common side effects of terbinafine may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Terbinafine side effects (more detail)

Warnings

Some people taking terbinafine have developed severe liver damage leading to liver transplant or death.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of liver damage, such as nausea, upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These events can occur whether or not you have ever had liver problems before.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use terbinafine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

To make sure terbinafine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It is not known whether terbinafine will harm an unborn baby. You should wait until after your pregnancy to start treating your nail or scalp infection with terbinafine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Terbinafine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take terbinafine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take the terbinafine tablet with or without food.

Terbinafine granules should be sprinkled into a spoonful of pudding or mashed potatoes (do not mix with applesauce, fruit juice, or other fruit-based or acidic foods). Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Terbinafine is usually taken for 6 weeks to treat scalp or fingernail infections, and for 12 weeks to treat a toenail infection.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medicine. Terbinafine will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

While using terbinafine, you may need frequent blood tests.

It may take several months for your nails to return to their normal appearance after your treatment with terbinafine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the terbinafine oral granules in their sealed packet until you are ready to use.

Detailed Terbinafine dosage information

nystatin topical, clotrimazole topical, ketoconazole topical, itraconazole, miconazole topical, Lamisil, ciclopirox topical, Lotrisone, griseofulvin, Jublia

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, and increased urination.

What should I avoid while taking terbinafine?

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of caffeine while taking terbinafine.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Terbinafine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What other drugs will affect terbinafine?

Other drugs may interact with terbinafine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Terbinafine drug interactions (more detail)

Does terbinafine interact with my other drugs?

Enter other medications to view a detailed interaction report.

Popular FAQ

What is the best over-the-counter nail fungus treatment?

There really is no ‘best’ over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus. OTC products are available to treat fungus on the skin around the nail bed, but are not very effective to treat the hard nail bed. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus. Continue reading

What home remedies work well for toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus can be challenging to treat, especially when severe. Trim and debride nails before treatment for better results. Maintain foot hygiene by washing, drying, and wearing appropriate footwear. Keep nails short and treat athlete's foot if present. Home remedies can improve affected nails but may not fully eliminate the problem, especially for severe cases. Consulting a doctor is advisable, as oral medications may be necessary for severe infections. For minor cases, home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil (Malaleuca alternifolia), oregano oil, Listerine, baking Soda and epsom Salts, garlic, or coconut oil, may help. Continue reading

How do I get rid of nail fungus?

The most effective treatments for a fungal infection of the nail (onychomycosis) include prescription oral antifungal medicines you take by mouth or prescription topical medicines you apply to the nail and surrounding skin. In some cases, your doctor may decide to combine oral or topical treatments. Continue reading

More FAQ

View more FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 15.01.