Terbinafine

Terbinafine is a medicine used to treat fungal infections of the skin and nails. It is available under the brand name Lamisil.

Terbinafine is available as tablets, cream, gel and a spray. At HealthExpress, our doctors are able to prescribe Terbinafine tablets once you have completed a consultation for fungal nail infections. You will also need to complete a liver function test during your treatment, this will be included with your order.

Terbinafine is an antifungal medication. It works by stopping the growth of fungi by disrupting their cell membrane production. It does this by blocking the synthesis of ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell membrane. This leads to holes forming in the cell membrane ultimately leading to death of the fungus and resolution of the infection.

How Terbinafine works

Terbinafine has many benefits when used to treat fungal infections.

• Kills fungi - This medicine kills fungi, rather than just stopping its growth.
• Convenient - The tablets are easy to take and allow for systemic treatment. This is also beneficial for widespread infections which topical treatments may not address.
• Broad-spectrum antifungal - Terbinafine is effective against a range of fungi, making it a good choice for treating various types of fungal infections.
• Improves the appearance of nails - By treating the infection, it restores the healthy appearance of nails in up to 12 weeks.
• Reduces discomfort - By killing the fungi, this medicine improves symptoms such as itching, flaking and nail discoloration,

Research suggests that Terbinafine is effective for treating fungal nail infections.

In one study, 120 patients with toenail onychomycosis (fungal infection of the toenails) were instructed to take Terbinafine 250 mg tablets once daily for up to 24 weeks.

The results showed that Terbinafine completely cured fungal toenail infections in 67% of patients who were treated for 6 weeks, 82% who were treated for 12 weeks, and 85% who were treated for 24 weeks. The study also concluded that a treatment period of 12 weeks was sufficient for fungal toenail infections.

Who can take it?

Terbinafine can be taken by most adults with fungal nail infections. However, you must always tell our doctors about other medical conditions you have or any other medications you take.

Who cannot take it?

Do not take Terbinafine if you are allergic to it or any of the other inactive ingredients in this medicine. You should also avoid taking this medicine if you have any severe liver or kidney impairment.

Speak to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have:

• liver or kidney problems
• psoriasis (a skin disease)
• any blood disorders
• cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus (skin disorders)

If you are not sure whether any of these factors apply to you, consult a healthcare professional before taking Terbinafine.

A liver function test (LFT) assesses a patient’s liver health by measuring the levels of specific enzymes and proteins in the blood. This test can help detect and monitor inflammation, infection and diseases of the liver.

At HealthExpress, we provide a LFT kit along with your Terbinafine tablets. This is a finger prick blood sample kit. Once you have completed the test, your sample is sent to a third-party laboratory for analysis.

The LFT analyses your total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transferase (AST), gamma GT and bilirubin.

All patients must complete a liver function test with their first prescription (within the first week), then every 4–6 weeks during treatment. In rare cases, Terbinafine can cause liver damage or failure, even in patients without pre-existing liver conditions.

At HealthExpress, our liver function test kits come with everything you need to collect the sample at home.

The LFT kit provided with your Terbinafine tablets, is a finger-prick blood sample kit. This kit includes everything needed to collect your blood sample, package it securely and return it to our third-party laboratory, free of charge.

You can view our finger prick blood sample collection instructions here

You can view our finger prick blood sample collection instructional video here

Please note: If you make a mistake collecting your sample, you will need to purchase a replacement kit. Please contact our customer service team to arrange this.

To take this medicine correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our prescribers recommend.

To ensure this medication is effective, follow the instructions below:

• Take one tablet once daily.
• Take each tablet with plenty of water.
• Swallow the tablet whole, do not break, chew or split tablets as this can affect the way the medicine works.
• The tablets can be taken with or without food.

At HealthExpress, Terbinafine is available as 250 mg tablets. The recommended dose to treat fungal nail infections is one 250 mg tablet taken once daily. However, if you suffer from kidney problems or other medical conditions, your doctor may alter your dose.

You should start taking Terbinafine as soon as you notice symptoms. This medicine is taken once daily, preferably at the same time each day. You can take it in the morning or at night.

Fungal nail infections can take a long time to treat. This is because it takes time for your new healthy nails to grow out and replace the infected nails. Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with Terbinafine will last.

Treating nail infections usually takes between 6 weeks to 3 months, however, toenail infections often take up to 6 months or more. Even after the infection is cured, it might take a few weeks for symptoms such as discolouration or thickened nails to completely resolve.

If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time.

Terbinafine starts to work as soon as you start taking the tablets. After taking a tablet, the medicine is well absorbed and the mean peak plasma concentration is reached within 1.5 hours of taking the dose.

Fungal nail infections typically take several months to resolve. You must keep taking it exactly as prescribed to ensure the infection is fully treated.

Here are some things you can do to prevent fungal nail infections:

Fungal nail infections are also more common among those who have a weakened immune system or other health conditions, like diabetes, psoriasis or peripheral arterial disease. To prevent this, it’s important to address poorly controlled diabetes and stay on top of your treatment for other health conditions.

Like all prescription medicines, Terbinafine can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects

Very common side effects may occur in more than 1 in 10 1 in 10 people using this medicine.

These may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Stomach ache
• Feeling full
• Diarrhoea
• Indigestion
• Feeling sick
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Skin rash and redness

The following common side effects may occur in up to 1 in 10 people and include:

• Depression
• Changes in taste
• Dizziness
• Visual changes
• Tiredness

Some side effects such as taste disturbances usually resolve once you stop taking the medicine. Common side effects tend to be mild and should go away on their own. However, if they don’t resolve or get worse, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects may affect up to 1 in 100 people. These may include:

• Anxiety
• Tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears)
• A pins and needles sensation or numbness
• Weight loss
• A reduced number of red blood cells
• Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight

Rare side effects

Some side effects are rare and may require immediate medical attention. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Symptoms of liver failure or abnormal liver function (e.g. yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain, confusion, nausea, vomiting, abnormal LFT results)
• A reduced number of different types of blood cells
• Bleeding
• Shortness of breath
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (symptoms include blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals)
• Hair loss
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (signs include skin blistering or loss of skin)
• Allergic reactions (swelling of the face, throat, mouth)

For a full list of Terbinafine's side effects, please consult the patient information leaflet.

You must always tell your doctor if you take any other medicines. This includes medicines you purchase without a prescription, over-the-counter products, natural supplements and more.

Terbinafine can interact with some medicines and may alter its effectiveness and vice versa. Some medicines with notable interactions include:

• Antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, clomipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, imipramine, lofepramine, nortriptyline, trimipramine)
• ADHD medications (e.g. atomoxetine)
• Antipsychotics (e.g. clozapine)
• Medicines for Gaucher disease (e.g. Eliglustat)
• Breast cancer medications (e.g. tamoxifen)
• Pain medicines (e.g. tramadol)

Storage

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store the tablets in their original packaging to protect it from light.

Disposal

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outside of the pack. Take any expired or unused medicines to your nearest pharmacy to be thrown away safely. Do not throw it in the general waste or flush it down the toilet as this is harmful to the environment.

No, Terbinafine is a prescription-only medication. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. This is because a doctor will need to assess your overall health, including any other medical conditions, medications you are taking, and your liver function, to ensure this medicine is safe for you to take.

You can buy Terbinafine for fungal nail infections online from HealthExpress after completing an online consultation and the liver function test provided.

HealthExpress is trusted by thousands of UK users for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust HealthExpress for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Terbinafine at HealthExpress includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.