TERBINAFINE SOLUTION - TOPICAL
Common Brand Name(s): Lamisil
Phonetic Pronunciation: (ter-BIN-uh-feen)
Information last revised May 2010
Uses:
This medication is used to treat a variety of fungal skin infections such as ringworm, athlete's foot, and jock itch. This medication is also used to treat a skin condition known as pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs. Terbinafine is an antifungal that works by preventing the growth of fungus.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Use this medication on the skin only. Clean and thoroughly dry the area to be treated. Apply enough medication to wet the skin on and around the affected area, usually once or twice daily as directed on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication to you, then use as directed. Wash your hands after using unless the area being treated includes the hands. Do not wrap, cover, or bandage the area unless directed to do so by your doctor. Do not use the medication in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or inside the vagina. If you do get the medication in those areas, flush with plenty of water. Do not use this medication on the scalp or nails unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do not use the spray form of this medication on the face. The dosage and length of treatment depends on the type of infection being treated. Do not apply more often or use longer than directed. This may increase the risk of side effects. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. Continue to use this medication as directed until the full treatment period is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection. Your condition may continue to improve after stopping the medication as directed. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve after 1 week of treatment.
Drug Interactions
If you are taking this medication under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs that weaken the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, corticosteroids such as prednisone). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, use it for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. If you are treating athlete's foot, make sure to wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes. Also, change shoes and socks at least once daily. When this medication is used to treat pityriasis, your normal skin color may not return immediately. It may take several months after treatment is completed for your natural skin color to return.
Overdose
This medication may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center.
Precautions
Before using terbinafine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other allylamine antifungals (e.g., naftifine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: broken skin (lesions). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Other forms of this medication pass into breast milk when taken by mouth. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk when applied to the skin. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Also, this drug should not be used on the breast while breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store the U.S. product at room temperature between 41-77 degrees F (5-25 degrees C) away from light and heat. Do not refrigerate. Store the Canadian product between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and heat. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Burning, irritation, redness, or itching at the application site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blistering/swelling/oozing at the application site. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
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