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Terbinafine is both an over-the-counter and a prescription medicine used to treat fungal infections. The over-the-counter forms (cream, gel, sprays) are used to treat itching, burning, cracking and scaling caused by athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm. The prescription forms (tablets and oral granules) are used to treat fingernail and toenail fungal infections and a fungal infection of the scalp that usually occurs in children. This medication page refers to the prescription form of terbinafine.

Terbinafine belongs to a group of drugs called antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of fungi.

Terbinafine tablets are taken once daily for up to 12 weeks, with or without food. Terbinafine oral granules are sprinkled on food and taken by mouth once daily.

Common side effects of terbinafine include heada

Terbinafine is a prescription antifungal medicine used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails. The oral granule form is approved to treat tinea capitis (a fungal infection of the scalp hair follicles) in patients 4 years of age and older.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take terbinafine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose of terbinafine your doctor prescribes will be determined based on the type of fungal infection you have and other medical conditions you have. The dose is also dependent upon weight (when choosing a dose for children) and other medications you are taking.

• Terbinafine Dosage - Fingernail Fungus Infection - 250 mg once daily for six weeks
• Terbinafine Dosage for Toenail Fungus Infection - 250 mg once daily for 12 weeks
• Terbinafine Dosage for Ringworm of the Scalp - Oral Granule dosage based on child's weight. Usually taken for 6 weeks.

Terbinafine may cause serious side effects, including:

• liver problems that can lead to the need for liver transplant, or death. Your doctor should do a blood test to check you for liver problems before you take terbinafine. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms of a liver problem:
  • nausea        
  • upper right stomach (abdominal) pain
  • poor appetite  
  • yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • tiredness
  • dark (tea-colored) urine 
  • vomiting    
  • pale or light colored stools

• change in taste or loss of taste may happen with terbinafine. This usually improves within several weeks after stopping terbinafine, but may last for a long time or may become permanent. Tell your doctor if you have:
  • change in taste or loss of taste
  • poor appetite 
  • unwanted weight loss
• change in smell or loss of smell may happen with terbinafine. This may improve after stopping terbinafine, but may last for a long time or may become permanent. 
• depressive symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms:
  • feel sad or worthless 
  • change in sleep pattern
  • loss of energy or interest in daily activities 
  • restlessness
  • mood changes 
• serious skin or allergic reactions. Tell your doctor right away or get emergency help if you get any of these symptoms:
  • skin rash
  • hives
  • sores in your mouth, or your skin blisters and peels
  • swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing or breathing
• new or worsening lupus (autoimmune disease). Stop taking terbinafine and tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:
  • progressive skin rash that is scaly, red, shows scarring, or loss of pigment
  • unusual sensitivity to the sun that can lead to a rash

Do not take terbinafine if you are allergic to terbinafine hydrochloride when taken by mouth.

The most common side effects of terbinafine tablets include: 

• headache
• diarrhea
• ithcing and rash
• indigestion
• liver enzyme abnormalities
• taste disturbance
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• flatulence (gas)

​The most common side effects of terbinafine oral granules include:

• headache
• fever
• vomiting
• upper respiratory tract infection
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• itching

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of terbinafine. For information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Terbinafine may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how terbinafine works. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• a medicine for depression
• a medicine for high blood pressure
• a medicine for heart problems
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• caffeine 
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadine)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)

This is not a complete list of terbinafine interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Terbinafine falls into category B. There are no good studies that have been done in humans with this Terbinafine. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Some terbinafine passes into your milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take terbinafine.

Terbinafine tablets are taken for up to 12 weeks.

Terbinafine can cause a change in taste or loss of taste. This usually improves within several weeks after stopping terbinafine, but may last for a long time.

Terbinafine can cause a change in smell or loss of smell. This may improve after stopping terbinafine, but may last for a long time or may become permanent.

Terbinafine can cause liver problems. Your doctor should do a blood test to check you for liver problems before you take terbinafine.