Terbinafine is a type of antifungal medicine for fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot. It kills the fungi that cause the infection, treating the condition at its source.
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Ringworm is a really common fungal infection that causes a red or silvery rash on the affected area of skin. Estimates suggest around 10-20% of people will get ringworm at some point during their life. It’s also known by other names depending on the area it affects – ringworm on the foot is commonly called athlete’s foot, for example.
Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine that’s used to treat skin infections caused by fungi, including athlete’s foot and ringworm. Antifungals target and kill the fungus responsible for causing infections, and stop them from growing and spreading further.
Terbinafine is the generic version of the brand-name treatment Lamisil. This means it contains the same active ingredients as Lamisil and works in the same way, but it’s usually a bit cheaper. Terbinafine contains the active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride, and comes as a cream or tablets.
How does Terbinafine work?
The active ingredient in terbinafine is terbinafine hydrochloride, a type of antifungal medicine that we call allylamines. These medicines kill the fungi responsible for infections by disrupting the synthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cells.
Ergosterol is a critical component of fungal cell membranes, and is responsible for their permeability. Without ergosterol the membrane becomes unstable and can ‘leak’, ultimately killing the cell. This prevents the infection growing any further, and should eventually clear it up.
What doses does Terbinafine come in?
Generic terbinafine comes as tablets that contain 250 mg of terbinafine hydrochloride, or a cream that contains 10mg of terbinafine hydrochloride per gram.
Lamisil, the brand-name version of terbinafine, is also available as a topical spray or gel that you apply directly to the affected area of skin.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to use Terbinafine
You should always follow the instructions of your clinician or pharmacist when you’re using terbinafine. But typically, if you’re using terbinafine cream:
Apply it 1-2 times a day.
Clean your hands and the affected area, and make sure they’re completely dry.
Squeeze a small amount of cream onto your finger.
Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected skin and surrounding area.
Gently rub the cream into your skin.
Cover the area with a fresh strip of gauze if you’re using it for athlete’s foot.
Wash your hands after applying it.
If you’re using terbinafine tablets:
Swallow one 250mg tablet whole with a drink of water.
You can take your terbinafine with or without food.
How long does it take Terbinafine to work?
How long terbinafine takes to work depends on the condition you’re using it to treat, and the type of terbinafine treatment you’re using.
Here are the usual treatment lengths:
Tablets for ringworm: 2-4 weeks
Tablets for athlete’s foot: 2-6 weeks
Cream for ringworm: 1-2 weeks
Cream for athlete’s foot: 1 week
If you’re using terbinafine tablets, you might find your symptoms don’t clear up until a few weeks after you’ve stopped your course of treatment.
If you’re using terbinafine cream, the infection can start to improve within a few days of use, but you should make sure to keep using the cream regularly for the duration of your treatment. It usually takes around four weeks for your skin to heal after the infection has cleared. If you haven’t noticed any improvement after using terbinafine cream for two weeks, speak to your clinician.
What should I do if I make a mistake taking Terbinafine?
If you forget to use or take your terbinafine at the right time, don’t worry. You can just take your tablet or apply your cream as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just wait and take the upcoming dose as normal. Don’t take another tablet or apply more cream to make up for a missed dose. However, it’s important to do your best to remember your treatment, as missing a dose can run the risk of the infection returning or worsening.
If you use too much terbinafine cream, scrape off some of the excess cream. If you swallow the cream, or take too many terbinafine tablets, seek medical assistance immediately and take the medicine and information leaflet with you if you can. Symptoms of terbinafine overdose can include headaches, nausea, dizziness and abdominal pain.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Terbinafine
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Are there alternatives to Terbinafine?
Answer:
Terbinafine is the generic version of the branded treatment Lamisil, and contains the same active ingredient. Lamisil can be more expensive than terbinafine as it's a branded treatment, but it’s available as a topical spray or gel as well creams or tablets. So if you’re looking for a topical treatment similar to terbinafine, Lamisil could be a suitable option for you.
Terbinafine has shown to be more effective than similar antifungal medicines when it comes to treating ringworm and athlete’s foot. A study in which 107 people with tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) received one week of terbinafine cream (followed by 3 weeks of placebo), and 104 people received clotrimazole cream for four weeks, revealed that terbinafine was a more effective treatment. After four weeks, mycological cure rates (the rate of people who had a negative test for fungal infection) were 73.1% for patients taking clotrimazole, and 93.5% for those taking terbinafine. After six weeks, the cure rate was 83.7% for clotrimazole and 97.2% for terbinafine. This indicates that terbinafine is a more effective cure for ringworm than clotrimazole. Terbinafine has proven to be more effective than the previous first-line treatment for ringworm, griseofulvin, as well.
Can I drink alcohol while using Terbinafine?
Answer:
You can drink alcohol while taking terbinafine, but it's important you drink in moderation. Side effects of terbinafine and alcohol can include headaches and dehydration.
Are there any Terbinafine side effects?
Answer:
As with any medicine, there’s a chance you’ll experience some side effects while using terbinafine. Not everyone will experience terbinafine side effects, but some of the more common side effects can include:
Anxiety and depression
Loss of appetite
Stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, nausea, or a feeling of fullness
Joint and muscle pain
Rash, itching, and hives
Headache
A loss or change in sense of taste
Dizziness
Changes to sight
Skin peeling where cream is applied
Fatigue
Tinnitus
If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking terbinafine right away and seek medical assistance:
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Swelling in your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat
Severe itching with a rash, lumps, hives, or blisters
Yellowing skin, persistent and unexplained nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dark urine, light stools or abdominal pain
This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the possible side effects of terbinafine. If you have any questions or concerns, take a look at the patient information leaflet or contact our clinician from your online account.
Can you buy Terbinafine over the counter?
Answer:
Terbinafine is a prescription-only medication, which means a clinician needs to check that it’s safe and suitable for you before you can take it. It only takes a couple of minutes to fill out our online consultation to see if terbinafine is right for you – and if it is, our clinicians can write a prescription for you right away.
If you want an over-the-counter treatment for ringworm, Lamisil AT 1% cream contains the same active ingredient and is a general sale product. This means you can buy it from a pharmacy or shop without a consultation with a pharmacist. But as it’s a branded product, you might find it’s a little more expensive than generic terbinafine.
Why should I buy Terbinafine online with Treated?
Answer:
We understand how uncomfortable, disruptive, and generally unpleasant infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot are. So we want to make getting treatment for them as fast and simple as possible. Answer a couple of questions about yourself in our online consultation, and we’ll recommend antifungal treatments that are right for you. Choose the one that fits with your lifestyle, and we’ll get it shipped directly to your door.
Our clinicians will keep in touch with expert aftercare to make sure your treatment is working as it should, too. When you buy terbinafine online with us, they’ll be available anytime to answer any questions or concerns you might have about your health.
A comparison of terbinafine (Lamisil®) 1% cream given for one week with clotrimazole (Canesten®) 1% cream given for four weeks, in the treatment of tinea pedis. British Journal of Dermatology. vol. 130, vol. 43. pp. 12-14.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
