Terbinafine and Nausea: What Users Say

• 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."

• Tob...
• July 5, 2008

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "My physician prescribed Lamisil for me in October 2007. I took it for three months and had 2 liver panels done during that time. I was dizzy and mildly nauseated the first few days and had diarrhea. It has taken 10 months for the new nails to grow out but I can bear my toes once again! It also cures athlete's feet. Now my feet are baby smooth and free of dryness and cracks. I would highly recommend this product. Don't wait! This is the best my feet have looked in years. Trust me, IT WORKS! :)"

• 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?"

• Fur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I am so sorry I ever took terbinafine. I have a fungus on one of my toenails, and my doctor prescribed this. Immediately, I lost all sense of taste and smell, with the exception of a metallic taste in my mouth. I was determined to push through this, but after a few days, I started vomiting every time I took this pill. I have many rare side effects from a variety of drugs, but this is the worst. I have had nausea consistently after beginning this. After 4 weeks, side effects were so bad I stopped it. I am using an anti-nausea medication, which is helping with that. The worst of all is that my liver enzymes have gone up, and I am awaiting a scan of my liver."

• MaN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2015

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "It took me 1.5 months to work up the courage to take Lamisil because of all the horrendous side effects I read about. I finally took it for 90 days with no horrible side effects. If I took it too close to drinking coffee or eating my beloved chocolate, it made me nauseous. So I took it right before bed. Near the end of the second month, I started itching in various places really bad. I finished treatment wondering why I was so scared. Now just waiting for slow toenails to grow out."

• 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."

• 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."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I've experienced toenail fungus on my right big toe for 10 years. I also have it in my two pinky toes and my left big toe, but not as bad. I've been on terbinafine for 5 weeks and see a slight improvement. My toenails are starting to turn pink and not be so yellow. When I started taking the medication, I had this bitter taste in my mouth and would get nauseated after taking it. Everything tasted awful, so I found the taste of the pill is bitter and leaves a funny taste in my mouth, so I started putting the pill way in the back of my throat and swallowing it that way, and it helps with not getting the bitter taste. Also, I started taking it before I went to bed because of the nauseousness I was feeling. Can't wait to look down and not see ugly toes."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I've experienced toenail fungus on my right big toe for 10 years. I also have it in my two pinky toes and my left big toe, but not as bad. I've been on terbinafine for 5 weeks and see a slight improvement. My toenails are starting to turn pink and not be so yellow. When I started taking the medication, I had this bitter taste in my mouth and would get nauseated after taking it. Everything tasted awful, so I found the taste of the pill is bitter and leaves a funny taste in my mouth, so I started putting the pill way in the back of my throat and swallowing it that way, and it helps with not getting the bitter taste. Also, I started taking it before I went to bed because of the nauseousness I was feeling. Can't wait to look down and not see ugly toes."

• Bar...
• April 1, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have had toenail fungus for over 7-8 years. My big toenail was so severely damaged that it was getting very thick and ugly. I was done being embarrassed and was dying to wear open-toed shoes again! So the first day I took it in the morning, and I felt nauseous, and I got a very dry mouth and a metallic taste. I got scared after reading so many reviews about losing your taste. I took the pill three (3) days and then stopped because I didn’t think it was worth losing my taste or feeling this terrible metallic taste in my mouth all the time and having a dry mouth and feeling nauseous. Well, after 6 months now, my toenail is almost all grown out and looks to be healthy! I still continue to have a very dry mouth, and that metallic taste still lingers on! But I never lost my taste, and my feet aren’t scaly anymore, and my toenail looks normal again! So if that’s the worst case, I’m glad I tried it out, and I’m looking forward to wearing sandals again this summer!"

• Les...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "Suffered with toenail fungus for 10-15 years, finally decided to act. Extremely effective. 3-month course. Now, 6 months after initially starting. Toenails just about completely grown out. Only side effect was nausea. But at times, this was no joke. Had to hop off a few buses earlier than anticipated for fear of throwing up. The nausea was most prevalent in the first 2 weeks, then settled. Had it persisted, I would have struggled to keep taking the meds. I'm glad I did, however, as it was definitely worth it in the end. I'm now dusting my socks with antifungal powder each morning, and most enjoyable of all... I'm able to show my feet in public. Don't suffer any longer... I should have acted years ago."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2017

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "After a few days of use, I came down with flu-like symptoms: nausea, migraine, runny nose, fever, chills, body pains, blurred vision, diarrhea. I ended up having to take 2 days off from work to recover from this drug. I would highly recommend using caution when taking. Will not be continuing..."

• ksn...
• April 7, 2013

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I've been on Terbinafine for almost a month. I haven't noticed any results yet, but haven't really looked because I didn't think it worked that fast. I've recently developed queasiness at times and lethargy, which could be from a variety of sources. Not sure. I have not experienced any side effects other than those. I'm hoping I lose my taste for foods. I'm hoping it causes weight loss. My luck, I'll be one that doesn't suffer that. I have no doubt this will work, which is why I gave it the highest score already. I'll report back in a few months."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2021

For Tinea Corporis "I had 4 spots of ringworm on me. One of them had grown a little bigger than the size of a golf ball, so my doctor recommended I take terbinafine pills. It has been six of the 14 days of me taking it, and it is so hard on my body. The stomach pains and the nausea are the worst part. I have had a hard time sleeping, as well as standing up for longer than 3-4 minutes since I started taking it. Any time longer than that, I feel as though I am about to pass out. The small ringworms are fading, but the larger one is still very much visible. I am not sure if I will be able to continue the rest of the 14 days."

• Nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

For Onychomycosis, Fingernail "I lost my fingernails suddenly about a year ago. I spent over half a year trying home remedies, but nothing worked. I've been taking this medication for about 5 months now, and I will tell you this - it doesn't work fast, but if you stick with it, the nausea and side effects will eventually die down, and you will eventually start growing new nails. My two worst nails (my thumbs) are still oddly shaped, but when I look back at the photo I took the first day I realized that the nails were separating from my nail bed, I can see that I've gained back quite a bit after about 5 months. I'm not sure I will ever have my beautiful nails back, but this medication has given me hope that someday (maybe years from now) I will be back to normal."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2015

For Cutaneous Candidiasis "Have had a fungal infection in my mouth for almost a year and have tried many meds, however, this medication has been a nightmare!!! Will take the last of a 10-day treatment @ 250 mg. Have had severe nausea, severe heartburn (living on Tums for that), no taste, and a massive migraine for the whole 10 days. My question is, 'How long does this stay in your system because I can't take much more of this?' Informed doctor of problems and was told of two options... stop the drug or suffer through it. Can't stop the medication because I can no longer eat due to mouth sores."

• Nen...
• March 17, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have been battling toenail fungus for the past 2 years, and I really tried everything I could in order to not take any medicines, but I looked at my toe, and the nail was starting to rise, so I decided to ask my doctor for a prescription. I've only been taking it for a week and a half, and this is what I've experienced. After about 2 days of taking it, I started experiencing nausea, gas, and bloating, but I tried switching my dose to the evening before bed, and I feel so much better. I guess it all happens in my sleep now. So far, my toe looks good, but I will post my results once I've been on it longer."

• Att...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I took terbinafine, which was prescribed for 90 days orally. I took it optimistically after reading all the horrible reviews online to find out I would only have the same problem. Day one, it was bearable: salty taste, mild headache, mild nausea. Day two, a little bit worse, accompanied by cramps. Day three, I missed work, woke up with a migraine that would not subside and nausea. Day four, it was unbearable: migraine, fever, chills, throwing up. I felt as if I had the flu. I called my prescribing doctor, who instructed me to go to the ER. This is a nasty, nasty medication."

• MGH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2022

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Two days after starting the first dose, I developed the worst headache of my life, followed by diarrhea, then bloating, very gassy, and nausea. I immediately quit the medication, but bloating on an empty stomach, shortness of breath, and itching has lasted. It is now a week after I quit the medication. I can’t give a -100, but I wish I could. This drug is not worth the risk."

• kwk...
• August 28, 2011

For Tinea Pedis "I had severe tinea on my feet for years until I went to a dermatologist who prescribed this medicine. I could not even wear summer sandals, my feet were so dry and rashy. For the first week of taking terbinafine, I felt very nauseous and dizzy and nearly stopped taking it, however, I have seen an amazing improvement in my feet lately. I was also prescribed 10% beta steroid cream in a cetomacrogol moisturizer to put on every day. I reckon the terbinafine has helped my overall health and skin."

• car...
• October 15, 2009

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I used the paint-on nail liquid for 18 months with no effect. I was changed onto terbinafine by the doctor. Three weeks after taking it, I have had no difference, have nausea every day, and have completely lost all sense of taste. The good side is I'm losing the excess half a stone, but I am starving."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2021

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I am a 64-year-old female who has had a toenail infection for over 15 years. I was so tired of it and ready to try anything. My side effects have been severe. I took the tablets for 42 days, 250 mg each day. I didn't feel anything until one of the last days. I woke up with a metal taste in my mouth. It is now 5 weeks and one day since I stopped taking the drug. I have lost 6 kg due to nausea, it is relentless. I can eat hardly anything, corn chips are okay, cornflakes, etc. Carbohydrates taste like something rotten. I have diarrhea, I try to rehydrate as much as I can but ended up in emergency. I fainted mostly due to dehydration and loss of potassium. I drink a Gatorade a day to try not to go back to the hospital. I have read reviews with people having side effects, and they say it takes between 6-8 weeks to get the taste back. I have also heard of people getting depressed, luckily I have a very supportive family, so I don't have that."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2021

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "DO NOT USE THIS drug! I used this drug for 42 days, 250 mg. I stopped three weeks ago as my mouth tastes of metal or worse. I am constantly nauseous. It is so difficult to feel this bad for weeks on end. I have been looking at other reviews, and it seems it will take a few more weeks to get better. On Monday, I ended up in the emergency ward as I passed out due to dehydration as I cannot keep liquids down. Please do not use this drug. I have heard tea tree oil is effective or cone-shaped crystals."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2021

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I'm a 19-year-old female, and I have been on this drug for mild toenail fungus for 3 days. I’m on a dose for only 45 days because of how mild the fungus is. I have already experienced nausea, rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, sore throat, headache, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vaginal bleeding. I called my doctor and left a message at the nurses' station explaining my symptoms. Haven’t heard anything back, so I am going to stop taking this medication until they get back to me. I feel like this many side effects are not worth it. I don’t know what else to use. Not a good experience right away."

• Mar...
• August 7, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Fingernail "Started taking the pills as recommended by the doctor about 2 months ago. The first week of taking them, I didn't really feel any side effects, but as time passed, I started getting stomach aches and feeling nauseous. After two months of taking them as recommended, I had to go to the emergency room for an anxiety attack, which then became discomfort in my chest, hard breathing, really bad anxiety, and cold sweats, feeling like I had a fever almost. Also another side effect was the dark urine and diarrhea. After leaving the emergency room, they told me that everything checked out, there were no issues other than the anxiety I was feeling. Honestly, it has gotten my nails better, but there are more natural ways of taking care of fungal infections on hand and nail, and way better for you. If I would have known that ahead of time, I would have never taken this medication in the first place."