General Info: Uses and Effects

This drug belongs to the class of drugs called anti fungals. The medication is used for healing infections due to fungus caused in toenails, fingernails or athletes foot. The oral granules are used to heal infection of hair follicles in the scalp in patients aged minimum four years. The tablets have terbinafine hydrochloride which is a synthetic allylamine compound. Chemically it is referred to as naphthalene methanamine hydrochloride which looks like a white or off white powder in crystalline capable of being dissolved in methylene chloride, water, ethanol as well as methanol. Each tablet contains around 250 mg of terbinafine hydrochloride as an active ingredient. In active ingredient consists of sodium starch glycolate NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, magnesium stearate NF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP and colloidal silicon dioxide NF. Lamisil is not advised to be taken by patients who allergic reaction to the active ingredient and a check up should be made with a doctor regarding the fungal infection before using the medication. It is unknown regarding the safety of the usage of Terbinafine in children for treating onychomycosis. Terbinafine comes in 250 mg tablets which has a white and yellowish hue in round form with the word 'LAMISIL' printed on one side and "250" on the other side.

Contraindication: Important to Know

The use of this drug is contraindicated as following:

Lamisil relating to patients who have a history of allergic reaction to oral terbinafine having the risk of anaphylaxis is contraindicated.

The doctor should be fully informed about the usage of any other medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements. Terbinafine may affect how other medicines give you benefit and vice-versa. The doctor should be informed of any of the medicines being used by the patient related to:

• Depression;
• High blood pressure;
• Heart problems;
• Caffeine;
• Cimetidine (tagmet);
• Rifampin (rifamate, rimactane,rifadine);
• Fluconazole (Diflucan);
• Desipramine (Norpramin);
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf,Neoral,Sandimmune).

The patient is advised to keep detailed information about any other drugs being used which needs to be informed to the doctor or pharmacist during consultation. Apart from which the doctor should also be informed of the following medical conditions.

• Ongoing liver health or past liver problems;
• Weak immune system;
• Lupus;
• Breastfeeding or mother planning to breastfeed as Terbinafine passed onto breast milk;
• Any pregnancy or women planning to become pregnant;
• Or any other health issues.

The patient is advised to avoid sunlight, tanning beds, sunlamps as the medication can create sensitivity in the skin. If at all the patient needs to be exposed to sunlight it is advised that the patient covers himself/herself in appropriate clothing to avoid it. In case of any sunburns the doctor should be informed. Terbinafine has also been known to cause disorders in nervous system, psychiatric, immune system as well as blood and lymphatic system.

Instructions on taking

The doctor's directions should be followed when consuming Terbinafine which can be taken with or without any food. It is advised that the patient should not consume Terbinafine in smaller or higher dosages. It can be consumed with a filled glass of water. The medication which comes in the form of granules can be consumed along with foods such as mashed potatoes or pudding but acidic foods like fruit juice, applesauce should be avoided where the mixture should be ingested without chewing and the mixture should not be stored for consuming it later. Any symptoms may improve after healing of the infection. Missing the required doses can enhance chances of risk of increased infection which is anti to antibiotics. If a dosage is missed Terbinafine should be taken as soon as the patient remembers it, but the time schedule is less than 4 fours before the next intake the missed dosage should not be taken and continue with the normal dosage. Consuming Terbinafine in excess can cause vomiting, rash, repeated urination, headaches, dizziness, pain in the stomach or abdomen. This drug does not provide cure for viral infections such as flu or common cold. To ensure Terbinafine does not cause any adverse effects a blood check up is advised as well as a liver function test. The fresh growth of the toenails will return to its usual look after several months of treatment with the medication. Terbinafine comes in bottles of 30 tablets and 100 tablets which is to be stored below 25 degrees Celsius in an airtight container away from sunlight and the granules should be sealed in the packet until further usage.

Dosage

The dosage varies depending on the indication of the infection. For toenail onychomycosis the dosage is one 250 mg tablet once daily for a time period of twelve weeks and for fingernail onychomycosis one 250 mg tablet once daily for a time period of six weeks. In case of any over dosage medical help should be sought immediately.

Side Effects

Medical attention should be sought if allergic reactions like swelling, breathing problems occur. Terbinafine is known to cause severe liver damage in case of past serious health issues. The intake of Terbinafine should be stopped if there serious side effects as:

• Skin reaction;
• Flaking of skin;
• Weight loss and taste changes;
• Problems in hearing;
• Effecting mood and behavior;
• Joint pain, patchy skin;
• Rash in skin over cheeks as well as nose;
• Body aches, fever or chills.

Less serious one may include:

• Bad taste in mouth;
• Mild rash or itching in skin;
• Dizziness or headache;
• Gas, diarrhea, mild nausea, bad stomach or stomach ache.

Interaction with Other Drugs

The patient should inform the doctor or pharmacist of any prescription, non-prescription drugs or herbal products being used prior to intake of the medicine. These may most primarily be drugs influencing liver enzymes that eliminate terbinafine from the body such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, rifampin, cimetidine, amiodarone. When Terbinafine is consumed with food there is an increase of less than 20% of the AUC of terbinafine.