Lamisil
Drug name: Lamisil
Other names used:
- Zabel®
Active Ingredients:
terbinafine
Therapeutic actions: Like other allylamines, terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme that is part of the fungal cell wall synthesis pathway (NB: the fungal cell wall, not the cell membrane). In layman's terms, it inhibits fungal and bacterial cell wall growth, causing the contents of the cell to be unprotected and eventually die.
Indications: Terbinafine is mainly effective on the dermatophytes group of fungi.
As a 1% cream or powder it is used for superficial skin infections such as jock itch (Tinea cruris), athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) and Ringworm.
Oral 250mg tablets are often prescribed for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to the dermatophyte Tinea unguium. Fungal nail infections are located deep under the nail in the cuticle to which topically applied treatments are unable to penetrate in sufficient amounts. The tablets may rarely cause hepatotoxicity, so patients are warned of this and may be monitored with liver function tests. Alcohol consumption should also be avoided while taking terbinafine.
Contraindications and cautions: 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.
Adverse effects: Serious side effects:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- a rash
- changes in vision
- blood problems
Less serious side effects:
- nausea, upset stomach, or heartburn;
- diarrhea or flatulence
- headache;
- taste disturbances or a loss of taste
Interactions:
- Before taking Lamisil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).;
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). - You may not be able to take Lamisil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lamisil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
