Terbinafine

 Risk Factor: BM
 Class: ANTI-INFECTIVES / Antifungals

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

Terbinafine is a synthetic allylamine antifungal agent that is indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium) (1). No studies evaluating the placental transfer of terbinafine in humans have been located. The molecular weight (about 328) is low enough that transfer to the fetus should be expected.

Reproduction studies have been conducted in rats and rabbits (1). Oral doses in rats up to approximately 12 times the maximum recommended human dose based on body surface area (MRHD) had no effect on fertility or other reproductive parameters. In pregnant rabbits, intravaginal administration of terbinafine did not cause abortions, premature delivery, or affect fetal parameters. In pregnant rats and rabbits, no evidence of impaired fertility or fetal harm was seen with oral doses up to 12 and 9 times the MRHD, respectively (1).

Although the animal reproduction data are encouraging, the lack of human pregnancy data do not allow a full assessment of the fetal risk from terbinafine. If possible, therefore, waiting to begin treatment until after a pregnancy has been concluded would be the safest course.

Breast Feeding Summary

Terbinafine is excreted into human milk (1). No specific details were given, but the milk:plasma ratio in nursing women was 7:1. The effects of this exposure on a nursing infant are unknown. Because the duration of therapy is usually prolonged (6 or 12 weeks for patients with fingernail or toenail onychomycosis, respectively), the potential for serious toxicity in a nursing infant may be increased. Based on the accumulation in milk and the prolonged exposure, women taking terbinafine should probably not breast feed.

References

1. Product information. Lamisil. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, 2001.
   
   

Index

Questions and Answers

If topical terbinafine didn't work, will oral terbinafine?, I have had ringworm on my arms that recently became significantly worse than it used to be. I tried using topical terbinafine for over a week, but there was no improvement. Will oral terbinafine help? And if so, how long will it take to see improvement?

WebMD

How soon after finishing your last Terbinafine pill can you start drinking alcohol again (with no concern)?,

That would be hard to say. It all depends on the biochemistry of the alcohol with the terbinafine, the potency of the drug, and what the effects are if you were to drink alcohol (e.g. more mild effects are usually not worried about so much). But I can give some information that might help you.

For topical terbinafine, the half life is 22-26 hours. For oral, the half life is 200-400 hours as the drug is stored in your tissues such as skin and fat but is slowly released. The effective half life is ~36 hours.

A half life is the amount of time it takes for 1/2 the drug you originally took to somehow be eliminated or no longer effective whether it is chemically broken down, excreted in the urine, etc. So in 2 half lives, you have 1/4 of what you started with.

The best person to ask is your doctor. S/he should have some experience with other patients who have tried this med as well as the biochemistry if the medicine itself. Feel free to call their clinic, you should not have to schedule an appointment for this question and it is their job to answer a simple question as this! Hope that helped!

How long does terbinafine take to clear up my fungal toe. I'm 8 weeks into a 12 week course and nothing.?,

MY Fiance had Fungus of the toenails which alot of Older men do get. His doctor prescribed Duflocan (antifungal) and also gave him a tip..."Use "Clear Nail Polish on the toe nails. Tha polish will kill and prevent the Fungus from growing..Hope this helps..It worked on him..

Can i drink alcohol if i'm taking Terbinafine?, I am going to Ibiza in 2 weeks, but unfortunatly for me i have started on a 28 day course of Terbinafine 250mg, which is an Antifungal/Antibiotic medication. What i need to know is can i safely drink on this stuff? Will it take away the effect of the medication? Will it cause me problems? Or do they not affect each other in any way?

Terbinafine is an antifungal drug that works in a similar way to antibiotics. This being the case, it can affect your liver. Alcohol can also affect your liver so you should really only drink very moderately and in fact not drink at all. You could make yourself ill, you could damage your liver and besides, alcohol speeds up metabolism in the liver so the tablets won't be as effective.

My sister has finger nail ring warm infection .She is taking terbinafine tablets 250 mg once a day .?, This she is taking from last 7 months , still now some little infection is there in her nail. Is it ok to take one terbinafine tablets 250 mg per day for such a long period of 7 months?

LAMISIL® (terbinafine hydrochloride tablets) Tablets, one 250 mg tablet, should be taken once daily for 6 weeks by patients with fingernail onychomycosis. LAMISIL®, one 250 mg tablet, should be taken once daily for 12 weeks by patients with toenail onychomycosis.My physician only allowed me to take it for 3 months and required me to have a liver panel done twice during that time.Below is a site with all the side effects and other info.

Fluconazole or terbinafine (Lamisil), which is less harmful to the liver and kidney?, as the treatment of the fungal infection of the nail.

and which is more commonly used?

I dont think Lamisil hurts your kidney, I used it and just needed to get a liver test before. I had no side effects and the results were amazing. There are risks involved with everything you do, but if the test shows your liver is working fine then Lamisil is safe.

interactions with terbinafine and sibutramine?, I'm taking terbinafine and i was taking sibutramine and i stoped i want to know if i could continue taking sibutramine.

No known interactions exist between terbinafine and sibutramine, however, this does not mean no interactions exist. I'm sure you could take these two medicines together.

how long will a scalp fungal infection heal if taking terbinafine 250mg.?,

Well my mum and i have beeen on them now for 6 and a half years, and only now its almost gone, but everybody is different, i suppose it depends on how deep and severe the infection is,but dont scratch it or this will delay the healing, as i used to but since i stopped its almost gone! we to are on the same drug and dosage as you, its all about patience! my doctor did tell me it takes a long time.