Terbinafine – Powerful allylamine antifungal for nail and skin infections.
Get expert medical advice and same-day prescriptions from qualified UK doctors through our secure online consultation platform.
- Professional online consultation and prescription
- Same-day service when clinically appropriate
- Secure delivery to your chosen pharmacy
Secure Telehealth Platform Trusted by Over 150,000 Patients
What is Terbinafine?
Terbinafine is the most effective oral antifungal medication for treating nail infections and severe skin fungal conditions that don’t respond to topical treatments. Its superior effectiveness for nail fungus makes it the gold standard treatment, though it requires careful monitoring.
Book an online consultation if you have persistent nail infections, severe fungal skin conditions, or fungal infections that haven’t responded to topical treatments. Our GPs can assess your condition and determine if Terbinafine treatment is appropriate while arranging necessary monitoring.
What is Terbinafine used for?
- Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)
- Severe athlete's foot
- Ringworm infections
- Fungal skin infections not responding to topical treatments
- Tinea corporis (body ringworm)
- Tinea cruris (jock itch)
- Scalp ringworm in children
How does Terbinafine work?
An allylamine antifungal that inhibits squalene epoxidase, disrupting ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes, leading to fungal cell death and effective treatment of deep fungal infections.
Dosage and Administration
Adults
Oral: 250mg once daily. Nail infections: 3-6 months. Skin infections: 2-6 weeks. Topical cream: apply twice daily for 1-2 weeks.
Children
Weight-based dosing for oral use—usually 62.5-250mg daily depending on weight.
Important Notes
- Take oral tablets with or without food.
- Complete the full course even if nails/skin look better.
- Topical cream for mild infections, oral tablets for severe/nail infections.
- May take months to see full improvement in nail infections.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
- Taste disturbances or loss of taste
- Fatigue
Serious Side Effects
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Liver problems (hepatotoxicity)
- Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Blood disorders
- Severe allergic reactions
- Depression and mood changes
- Lupus-like syndrome (rare)
Important Warnings
- Regular liver function tests required during oral treatment.
- Tell your GP immediately if you develop yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, or severe fatigue.
- Not suitable for patients with liver disease or blood disorders.
- Stop immediately if you develop severe skin rash or mood changes.
- May cause permanent loss of taste in rare cases.
Drug Interactions
Tell your GP if you're taking any of the following medications:
- Warfarin—may enhance anticoagulant effects.
- Ciclosporin—may increase ciclosporin levels.
- Tricyclic antidepressants—may increase their levels.
- Rifampicin—may reduce terbinafine effectiveness.
- Cimetidine—may increase terbinafine levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does nail fungus treatment take so long?
Nails grow very slowly, and the medication needs to be present while healthy nail grows out to replace the infected nail, which can take 3-6 months or longer.
How successful is Terbinafine for nail infections?
Oral Terbinafine has about 70-80% success rate for toenail fungus and higher for fingernail infections, making it the most effective oral antifungal for nails.
Why do I need blood tests while taking Terbinafine?
Terbinafine can rarely cause liver problems, so regular blood tests monitor liver function to catch any issues early.
Can I use nail polish while taking Terbinafine?
It's best to avoid nail polish during treatment as it can trap moisture and fungi, and you need to monitor the nail's appearance for improvement.
Medically Reviewed by: Mohammed Hassan - Independent Prescriber
Last Updated: 2025-01-14