Terbinafine - Antifungal Medication Information

Terbinafine is an antifungal antibiotic. Terbinafine is mainly effective on the dermatophytes group of fungi. It is highly lipophilic in nature and tends to accumulate in skin, nails, and fatty tissues. As a generic it is sold under the name Zabel in Australia. It is now also available as a generic in the United States and Switzerland. In India, terbinafine hydrochloride is available in a topical form under the brand name Sebifin by Ranbaxy Labs and Zimig by GSK Pharma.

Terbinafine hydrochloride is a white fine crystalline powder that is freely soluble in methanol and dichloromethane, soluble in ethanol, and slightly soluble in water.

How It Works

Like other allylamines, terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme that is part of the fungal cell membrane synthesis pathway. Because terbinafine prevents conversion of squalene to lanosterol, ergosterol cannot be synthesized. This is thought to change cell membrane permeability, causing fungal cell lysis.

Indications

Before using terbinafine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or psoriasis.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Terbinafine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Some people taking terbinafine have developed severe liver damage leading to liver transplant or death. It is not clear whether terbinafine actually caused the liver damage in these patients. In most cases, the patient had a serious medical condition before taking terbinafine.

Side Effects

If you have any conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease or an autoimmune disorder, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

Call a doctor or get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to the medication including difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also, symptoms of an overdose of terbinafine may include urinating more than usual, vomiting, skin rash, dizziness, stomach pain or nausea.

Some patients taking terbinafine have developed severe liver damage leading to liver transplant or death. It is not clear whether or not terbinafine actually caused the liver damage in these patients. In most cases, these patients had a serious medical conditions before taking terbinafine.

A doctor must be called immediately if you have any symptoms of liver damage such as dark urine, clay-colored stools, nausea, stomach pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, or itching. These symptoms may occur whether you have had liver problems in the past or not.

It is important to stop taking terbinafine and consult a doctor at once if you have any serious side effects such as fever, sore throat, headache with a severe blistering, peeling, red skin rash, scaly, itchy, and flaky skin rash, weight loss due to taste changes, changes in vision, joint pain or swelling, swollen glands, patchy skin color, a butterfly-shaped skin rash over the cheeks and nose, fever, chills, body aches or other flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include decreased taste sensation, mild skin rash or itching, unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, feeling tired, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cold symptoms, stomach pain, heartburn or diarrhea.

Before taking terbinafine, consult with a doctor if you are taking medications such as SSRI antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, beta-blockers, rifampin, cimetidine, blood thinners, other antifungal antibiotics, or any heart rhythm medications.Terbin