Indications
Terbinafine cream is indicated for the treatment of the following dermatological infections: interdigital tinea pedis (Athlete’s foot), tinea cruris (jock itch) or tinea corporis (ring worm) due to susceptible organisms and planter tinea pedis (mocasin type) due to Trichophyton spp.Terbinafine tablet is indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toe nail or finger nail due to dermatophytes and also by non-dermatophyte fungi.
Therapeutic Class
Drugs for subcutaneous and systemic mycoses, Topical Antifungal preparations
Pharmacology
Terbinafine is an allylamine with a range of antifungal activity. It is fungicidal against dermatophytes, moulds and certain dimorphic fungi. Terbinafine is either fungicidal or fungistatic against yeasts, depending on the species. Terbinafine interferes with fungal ergosterol biosynthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase in the fungal cell membrane at an early stage. This leads to a deficiency in ergosterol and to intracellular accumulation of squalene, resulting in fungal cell death. Terbinafine is highly effective in fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails caused by Trichophyton spp., Microsporum spp. and Epidermophyton floccosum. It is also effective against yeast infections of the skin, principally those caused by the genus candida. Topical terbinafine appears to be effective in pityriasis versicolor due to Pityrosporum arbiculare.
Dosage & Administration
Topical application:
Terbinafine cream to affected areas once or twice daily for 1-2 weeks may be adequate for fungal infections of the skin but certain infections may require oral Terbinafine tablet therapy.
Usual duration of treatment of Terbinafine cream:
- In Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris: 1-2 weeks.
- In Tinea pedis: 2-4 weeks (One week of treatment will normally suffice if the cream is applied twice daily.).
- In Cutaneous candidiasis: 1-2 weeks
- In Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor: 2 weeks.
To prevent relapses in fungal infection, treatment should be continued for a adequate length of time. To apply Terbinafine cream clean and dry the affected areas thoroughly and apply the cream once or twice a day to the affected skin and surrounding area in a thin layer and rub in lightly. In the case of intertriginous infections the application may be covered with a gauze strip, especially at night.
Oral administration:
Terbinafine tablet is essential for hair or nail infections:
- The usual oral dose: Terbinafine 250 mg daily for 2 to 12 weeks depending upon the infection.
- Finger nail onychomycosis: Terbinafine 250 mg once daily for 6 weeks.
- Toe nail onychomycosis: Terbinafine 250 mg once daily for 12 weeks.
Interaction
In vivo studies have shown that terbinafine is an inhibitor of the CYP450 2D6 isozyme. Drugs predominantly metabolized by the CYP450 2D6 isozyme include the following drug classes: tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics class 1C (e.g., flecainide and propafenone) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors Type B. Co-administration of terbinafine should be done with careful monitoring and may require a reduction in dose of the 2D6-metabolized drug.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Terbinafine or any of the excipients in the
preparation
preparation
Side Effects
Terbinafine Tablet: Abdominal discomfort, anorexia, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, rash and urticaria occasionally with arthralgia or myalgia. Less frequently taste disturbance. Rarely liver toxicity, photosensitivity, serious skin reactions etc.Terbinafine Cream: Redness, itching, or stinging; rarely allergic reactions.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Terbinafine tablet: There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, and because treatment of onychomycosis can be postponed until after pregnancy is completed, it is recommended that terbinafine not be initiated during pregnancy. After oral administration, terbinafine is present in breast milk of nursing mothers. Treatment with terbinafine in not recommended in nursing mothers.Terbinafine cream: Foetal toxicity and fertility studies in animals suggest no adverse effects. There is no clinical experience with terbinafine in pregnant women; therefore, unless the potential benefits outweigh any potential risk, terbinafine should not be administered. Terbinafine is excreted in breast milk and therefore mothers should not receive terbinafine treatment whilst breast-feeding.
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