Terbinafine and Headaches: What Users Say

• dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2021

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I took this drug for my awful toenail fungus I have in 3 toes. This pill was the only one that is supposed to work on the toenail fungus, but can cause a lot of side effects, but I wanted to get rid of it! My doctor does not like to recommend this drug but it was my last resort. Please think real hard about taking this drug, it can be a matter of life and death. Before you take it, you have to get liver tests and my test was excellent, until I took Lamisil for 3 weeks. I started feeling real bad, headaches, and heartburn which I have never had, and felt real tired and sick. I told my doctor I was stopping it. Then I went in to do liver test, and my tests came back with very high liver enzymes. And I have been back twice, and it is slowly going away. It can cause liver failure and death. I am so glad that I stopped it when I did, and I hope my next tests, which I'm doing in a few days, come back normal. I wish I would have never taken this medication."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I'm 9 days into my 3-month treatment. Felt like I had the flu all week - headaches & nausea. On day 8, it turned into bad stomach aches and diarrhea, paired with weakness, but I'm probably a bit dehydrated now. I'm going to try and push through and hope the symptoms subside. I am so sick of having gross toenails and I have tried every natural remedy, every topical treatment, and nothing has worked. Wish me luck."

• dgh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2018

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have suffered from toenail fungus since I was around 6 years old. (I am 23 now.) I finally went to the dermatologist last summer for other skin issues, and I also addressed my fungal infection and dry and cracked feet. I had no idea that my dry, cracked feet were due to the fungus! I’ve dealt with bloody cracks for most of my life. I decided to go on Lamisil in August of 2017. I took one pill per day for 3 months. About a month in, my cracks and dry skin were healed. My feet were finally so smooth after all these years! Fast forward to a year later, my toenail fungus is completely gone, and my new healthy nails are all grown in! The only side effect I experienced while on the medication were headaches. They were bearable and didn’t occur every day. I am so glad I took this medicine! Definitely would recommend."

• Bes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2016

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Best advice: 1. Get prescription pills & continue until side effects are unbearable, that product will clear it up best & fastest. Then switch to prescription polish. 2. Go buy an electric nail file with attachments, keep the thinnest & shortest as possible. 3. Change socks morning and night. 4. Don't share nail tools! 5. Sally's has a professional liquid cleaner, the blue stuff lasts a year! 6. Clean infected toes in the evening before changing socks. 7. I switched from pills to medicated polish because of headaches, and after 7 months, my toenail is clear & growing at a similar rate to others. I've read and tried all the tricks. If you follow these instructions DAILY, it WILL clear up, but you're looking at a year. Add Epsom Salt 2-minute soak, 2-3 times a week, plug the bath sink, put foot in."

• Bar...
• October 12, 2019

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "So I've been on Lamisil for about a week. The one toenail was turning blackish. It's starting to look better already. The side effects I'm having are a dull headache and terrible flatulence. Also, I feel out of sorts."

• too...
• February 12, 2014

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have been on this medicine exactly a month. My right foot, which was affected, is having smooth skin, no itching. The nail is getting harder and better. I love the fact that when my foot touches the sheets, it is not snagging and is not itching. However, I have nausea, an upset stomach, some headaches, I feel tired, and my skin on my face is very sensitive, the slightest scratch swells it up and makes it red. I have a rash on my upper hard palate that just came on yesterday. I want to finish the course, I will have to see. I wish there was a single shot that would take care of this. Why is there such a tedious fungus that has to be eradicated in this fashion?"

• Coc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2020

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I’ve had severe nail fungus on all the nails on one foot for at least 7 years (I’m 23). I finally went to the doctor in January 2020 and got prescribed terbinafine. I’ve taken it every day for 6 months now, and the nails on my four smaller toes are completely fine now, whilst the big toenail is about 80% healed. I had a few side effects (stomach ache and headache) for the first two weeks or so, but after that, absolutely no side effects. The doctor predicts that the entire course will last 12 months to fully get all the infection. 100% recommend (with regular liver function tests). Also necessary to take it for long enough if your infection is particularly bad or some fungus will remain and you will relapse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2016

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Took this drug a few years ago, and it worked great. I had fungus in 3 of my toenails initially (and had it for a few years before trying this). They all cleared up after use of Lamisil for 12 weeks. I had no side effects. But, within about a year, fungus developed again on my big toe (unless it never cured?). I'm taking Lamisil again, but I'm only 4 weeks in, and I've gotten terrible headaches and pretty bad itching. I'm not sure if I will be able to go through a second round of the stuff at my 6-week check-in. I still think I'd recommend it because it did get rid of fungus on two toenails, but I'm not sure if the side effects would be too off-putting for some."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I’ve had toenail fungus for almost 2 decades (first contracted it at 11). I tried various home remedies and topical treatments over the years with no success. The infection eventually spread to every toenail and became severe - my nails crumbled away, and I was forced to paint false ones to avoid embarrassment. I was very anxious about the side effects of terbinafine, so I delayed using it for a long time. However, I finally decided enough was enough and gave it a go. I’m so pleased that I made this decision - within 2 weeks, I could see the beginnings of healthy nails; this was something I had not seen in over 5 years. Within 2 months, half of each nail was clear. I finished the treatment after 4 months and I have 10 healthy nails, with only very minor deformations (to be expected after such a long infection period). There were some side effects - I got bad headaches, and for around 2 weeks, my vision was partially blurred. However, these eventually subsided."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2016

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Took the medication for 35 days, was onto my second script when I got loss of taste, my mouth tasted like sour milk 24/7. When eating sweet food, I couldn't taste the sweet, and anything sweet made the sour milk taste in my mouth worse. Also, eating dairy gave the same effect. Eating salted food was tasteless. Great diet pill, as everything tastes so foul, including water. Went to the doctor, says stop taking it, and the foul taste could last for several weeks. Return if still no good in six weeks. My toenail was starting to look better, but needed to complete the course. Will have to revert to natural method, tea tree oil. Also got headaches with this medication, although that could be due to lack of water as drinking water tastes sour."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2011

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have been using this medication for roughly 3 weeks now. I haven't lost taste yet, but I won't be surprised if I do. I am experiencing terrible headaches (all day long), loss of appetite, and I am not sleeping (which I have never had a problem with before). Just wondering if anyone else has had these same effects while taking this medication. I am a 33-year-old female, and I got an infected toenail while I was pregnant...10 years ago. I tried every over-the-counter medicine invented...only to waste my money. So, I am going to stick it out. I will write back to let you know how it turned out. Thanks!"

• Thi...
• December 31, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "After 20 years of toenail fungus, started on one big toe, then both, finally all 10. I was ashamed and embarrassed but hid it well, lost the big toenail on my left foot totally and used to stick on a fake one. One day I noticed it had spread to my right thumbnail! Googled, googled, Googled and discovered 'Terbinafine'. I was able to buy online and started taking one a day. Took each tablet with milk. Had a headache for the first few weeks that wouldn't shift. Had a 'metallic' taste and occasional upset tummy for the duration. Disappeared within 2 weeks of stopping. Took for 3 months, amazingly toenails replaced themselves. Nearly gave up at the 8-week mark as nothing was happening, then suddenly, it did! Been off 9 months now. Toenails still clear!"

• Nic...
• December 19, 2017

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I previously took fluconazole for toenail fungus, but it did not work, and it actually spread to my other big toe. Frustrated, I asked my doctor to prescribe me terbinafine. I took it for 3 months, and it appears that my nails are getting better. The side effects are horrible. I had an almost daily headache, felt dizzy at times, nauseous once in a while, and the worst symptom was the accompanying depression that came with the drug. I'm glad the course is over. Don't want to do that again. Here's to hoping the fungus is gone."

• Soo...
• January 15, 2018

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have had toenail fungus for about 8 years and managed to get it out of one nail only to have it spread to another. I found it incredibly distressing when it spread to be on three of my nails, so I started the pills. The first week I felt fine, with maybe a little loose stool. By the second week, I’ve had terrible headaches, diarrhea, cramps, fatigue, and depression. I don’t think I can continue with this medication."

• Che...
• October 25, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I’ve been dealing with bad toenail fungus on my big toe since I was little, and I finally went to my doctor, and she prescribed me Terbinafine/Lamisil. The only side effects were a headache and upset stomach, but after a week, it stopped. I saw results after 2 weeks, my nail was dark yellow and thick, and it’s now 6 weeks of treatment, and all the yellow is gone, and it looks a lot healthier. My nail is growing out beautifully. I never thought I would get this problem fixed. Also, to speed the process, my doctor recommended clipping off the thick nail and filing it down. Hope this works for others."

• on...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2016

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have been on this medication for over 8 months now to clear up my toenail infection on both feet. Initially, I was prescribed the lacquer form, but this was putting a greasy-like film on the toenail and I had to put it on twice a day, not helpful if you work in an office and have shoes and socks on all day. I have a blood test every month to check my liver, so far, all is good. At first, taking the medication gave me slight headaches, they passed within a week, this is the only side effect I have had with this medication. My nails were thick and yellow, and they were not growing the way they should have. I started noticing change in the first month, at this stage of the treatment, my nails have changed to the right color and thinned. Recommend this."

• Tay...
• May 5, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "3rd time on this only because I was an idiot and would space taking it because it was summer and wanted to drink. My toe nails were pretty bad and crumbling. It’s been a year, and even though I took the meds not regularly, I still notice a huge difference and gave my body a break, and now I’m ready to take it every day and get rid of it. I read bad reviews and got it in my head I was basically going to die if I took this lol... silly. Don’t listen. I believe my body is used to it now, so I only get stomach aches. Sometimes mood swings or headaches, but come on. If you struggle with toe fungus and are insecure, just take the meds... put up with a little side effects and finish it. Only advice I will give that I learned taking this is to have a meal in the am and 3 cups of water and then take the medication so you don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day. Drink a lot of water, it helps the body digest and makes your stomach hurt less."

• Sli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I took this medication for 2 months, resulting in severe diarrhea, gurgling stomach, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and depression. Now, almost a month after stopping the drug, I maintain a bland diet and take Imodium to try to stop the gurgling stomach and persistent diarrhea. The side effects from this drug are much worse than the original problem. What doctor would prescribe a drug with such severe and long-lasting side effects to cure toenail fungus? I try to take as few prescription drugs as I can, preferring homeopathic treatment. In the future, I will take a long, hard look at alternatives to this dangerous garbage. Run, don’t walk, from a doctor prescribing this poison. I would literally rather have my nails pulled off with pliers in the future than use this drug again. I hope it hasn't damaged my liver as others have reported. I feel my trust was violated, and my body was damaged by this drug."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "About five days after I took this medication, my face slightly swelled. The other side effects to me include mild headache, low abdomen cramp, frequent urinating. The blood draw test does not show abnormal results in kidney and liver functions."

• Sam...
• April 29, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "Just wanted to add another positive experience! I was pretty frightened reading these reviews, but my toenail fungus seemed to just keep spreading no matter what I tried, so this was my last option. I have had very minor side effects—the 2nd week of taking, I had pretty bad headaches that felt like head congestion, but I took 400 mg ibuprofen, and that did the trick. No headaches after the 2nd week. I wanted to add, I have anxiety, and I’m telling you, DON'T drink too much caffeine, as terbinafine reduces the body's ability to get rid of caffeine by 20%!!! It tells you right on the warnings, but I feel like people complain about insomnia or jitteriness, and they don’t listen to those warnings. I went from drinking 2 black teas a morning to just one cup of green tea. DON'T drink caffeine in the afternoon! When I do, I definitely notice I have trouble getting to sleep and anxious feelings. Please follow the warnings, don’t drink alcohol or too much caffeine. If you do, you are asking for the side effects."

• Was...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I've been dealing with nail fungus for the better part of 6 years. I'm a 24-year-old male. I wish I would have started sooner instead of psyching myself out after reading reviews of this medicine. I have had some slight headaches but no loss of taste or any other extreme side effects. I have been applying tea tree oil to my nails once a day as well. Currently, I am finishing my 3rd 30-day dose, and my nails are about 50% clear."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I am on my third month of taking Lamisil. I had no side effects for the first two months, and now I have frequent diarrhea (every day). I just don't understand why I am now getting the side effects. I am always thirsty, feel dehydrated, and have a bad taste in my mouth most of the time. Slight headaches here and there. Did anyone else have side effects that came after two months? Luckily, this should be my last refill of this medication. I haven't noticed any positive changes in my middle infected toenail, but a friend who took the medication advised me that it could take six months or longer for a new nail to grow in. Staying positive."

• Unk...
• December 15, 2019

For Cutaneous Candidiasis "I was put on this medication for 2 weeks for a skin rash. I took it for a total of 7 days. On the 6th day, I suddenly became very nauseous and had to leave work. On the 7th day, I got the same nausea along with shortness of breath. My heart felt like it was going crazy, like I had just been on a run when I was only resting. This kept me up in the middle of the night as my chest was so uncomfortable. I also had headaches and stomach pain, lost my appetite, and felt generally ill. I've been off it for 4 days and still not feeling 100%, looking forward to feeling myself again. It did start helping the rash but did a lot more harm than good."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Fingernail "I spent about 18 months trying all kinds of OTC or natural cures for my 3 fingernails infected with fungus. I didn't go to the doctor because I read the side effects from medication would be so horrible. Then one day I saw the fungus had spread to a 4th nail. This got me off my butt, and I visited my dermatologist. He prescribed terbinafine for 6 weeks, and I determined to just push through the side effects. Yes, I experienced several, especially fatigue, gassy stomach, headaches, and metallic taste. But now, after 4 weeks, my healthy nails are growing in great and look so nice. I have 2 more weeks on the pills, and I'm excited to almost be done! My dermo also prescribed generic Penlac nail lacquer, which is easy to use and might add a little strength to the program."

• hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2014

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I am so glad that my foot doctor prescribed this medication to me. For years, I tried over-the-counter medications, creams, and liquids... to no avail. I have had slight side effects such as headaches, tiredness, and smelly gas. But overall, I am very happy. I am almost done with my second bottle, and I am glad to say that my big toes are almost all clear. If only my little toes would hurry and catch up with the big toes."