IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or
other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use
of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before using this drug.
TERBINAFINE ORAL (ter-BIN-uh-feen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lamisil
USES: This is an antifungal medication used to treat fungal infections
of the fingernail or toenail.
HOW TO USE: Take this by mouth as directed usually once a day. Treatment
may continue for 6 weeks for a fingernail infection or 12 weeks for a toenail
infection. Another method of dosing involves using the drug for one week per
month until treatment is completed. Continue to take this until the full
prescribed amount is finished. Stopping the medication too early may result in
ineffective treatment or a relapse of the infection.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, nausea or rash may
occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. You may
experience a temporary loss or change in taste sensation that will return after
the medication is stopped. Tell your doctor immediately if these highly
unlikely but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding or bruising,
persistent sore throat, vision changes, fever. Rarely, serious and possibly
fatal liver disease has occurred during oral terbinafine use. Immediately
report symptoms such as: dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, extreme fatigue,
vomiting. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug,
seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of:
kidney disease, liver disease, drug allergies. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant before taking this drug. Because fungal toenail or fingernail
infection treatment generally should be postponed until after pregnancy,
discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into
breast milk and therefore is not recommended for use while breast-feeding.
Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any nonprescription or
prescription medication you may take, including: rifampin, rifabutin,
cyclosporine, warfarin, cimetidine. Do not start or stop any medicine without
doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include
headache, nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness.
NOTES: The fungal infection may be cured within several weeks. However,
the nail bed may not appear healthy until it grows out completely over a few
months. If it does not improve or becomes worse with continued therapy, notify
your doctor. This medication is prescribed for your current condition only. Do
not use it for another infection or share it with others. Another infection
later on may require a different medicine. Your doctor may periodically perform
lab tests during treatment to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it
is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 to 25
degrees C) away from heat and light as directed.