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Uses
Terbinafine is
used to treat fungal infections of the toenail and fingernail.
Terbinafine is in a class of medications called antifungals. It
works by stopping the growth of fungi.
OTHER USES: This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask
your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to Take This
Medication
Terbinafine
comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day
for 6 weeks for fingernail fungus and once a day for 12 weeks for
toenail fungus. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you
do not understand. Take terbinafine exactly as directed. Do not take
more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your
doctor.
Your fungus may not be completely cured until a few months after you
finish taking terbinafine. This is because it takes time for a
healthy nail to grow in.
Side Effects
Terbinafine may
cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
* diarrhea
* upset stomach
* stomach pain
* rash
* itching
* hives
* changes in taste or loss of taste
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are
uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor
immediately:
* upset stomach that does not go away
* loss of appetite
* extreme tiredness
* vomiting
* pain in the right upper part of the stomach
* dark urine
* pale stools
* severe skin rash that keeps getting worse
* fever, sore throat, and other signs of infection
Terbinafine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you
have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Precautions
Before taking
terbinafine,
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to terbinafine
or any other medications.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and
herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the
following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin),
clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin,
Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor),
protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);
beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne),
metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and
propranolol (Inderal); cimetidine (Tagamet); medications that
suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran),
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), methotrexate (Rheumatrex),
sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf); rifampin (Rifadin,
Rimactane); and selegiline (Eldepryl). Your doctor may need to
change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for
side effects.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver
disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking terbinafine,
call your doctor. You should not take terbinafine while
breast-feeding.
Drug Interaction
Terbinafine is
known drug-drug interactions with cyclosporine, warfarin,
rifampin, and/or cimetidine
Missed Dosage
Take the
missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost
time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your
regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up
for a missed one.
Storage
Keep this
medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out
of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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