What is terbinafine used for?

Terbinafine is an antifungal medication that is commonly used to treat conditions like jock itch, nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. Dermatophytes (a type of fungi) cause these conditions. Terbinafine may also be used to treat tinea versicolor, which is caused by a type of yeast.

Terbinafine comes in several forms, including:

• oral tablets
• topical cream
• topical gel
• topical spray

It is available in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) forms, depending on the condition being treated. Some brand names include Lamisil and Terbinex.

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Fungal nail infections

Doctors may use terbinafine to treat fungal nail infections. Another name for fungal nail infections is onychomycosis. With a fungal nail infection, your fingernail or toenail may start to turn white, yellow, brown, or another color. It may start to disconnect from the finger or toe, or it may start to split, crack, or crumble.

Doctors commonly prescribe terbinafine oral tablet to help treat fungal nail infections when other topical treatments haven’t worked in treating them.

Most people with fungal nail infections will need to take oral terbinafine for 6 to 12 weeks before they see results. You will be able to tell that terbinafine is working on your nail fungus when the new, healthy nail starts to replace the discolored and thickened nail.

Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is another fungal infection that terbinafine is used to treat. With athlete’s foot, you may experience flaky skin, cracking, peeling, and itchiness on the soles of your feet, your heels, or in between your toes.

Your doctor may recommend terbinafine topical cream or spray to help treat athlete’s foot. You may start to notice relief from symptoms like itching and peeling after 1 week of using terbinafine. But it may take several more weeks for your athlete’s foot infection to fully go away.

Jock itch

Topical forms of terbinafine are often used to treat jock itch. Jock itch is a fungal infection also known as tinea cruris. With jock itch, you may experience redness or other color changes in the skin around your groin and inner thighs. You may also experience the following:

• flaking, peeling, or cracking skin
• a rash that gets worse with exercise
• an itching or burning sensation

You will likely need to use terbinafine cream or spray for 1 to 4 weeks to treat jock itch. You may start to see symptoms like itching, peeling, and color changes in the groin area ease within a few weeks of terbinafine treatment. However, it’s important to use terbinafine for the full length of time as your doctor prescribes to ensure that the fungus doesn’t return.

Ringworm

Doctors typically use topical terbinafine to treat ringworm, but they may also use oral terbinafine. Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal infection and is not caused by a worm. When the ringworm infection affects the body, it’s called tinea corporis. When it affects the scalp, it’s called tinea capitis.

With ringworm, you may experience a ring-shaped rash with raised edges and a clear center. The rash may be red or discolored, and scaly. You may also experience itching and burning. These symptoms may occur on any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the scalp, feet, groin, and nails. With ringworm infection on the scalp, you may also have bald patches.

Terbinafine usually treats ringworm in 2 to 4 weeks. You’ll know that terbinafine is working when you start feeling less itchy and notice the rash gradually going away.

Tinea versicolor

Doctors may use terbinafine to treat tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is also called pityriasis versicolor. Unlike the other infections for which terbinafine is used, tinea versicolor is caused by a type of yeast, not a fungus.

Tinea versicolor causes discolored patches of skin to show up. They usually show up on your arms, chest, neck, or back. These patches may also be itchy or scaly. Terbinafine cream is usually used for up to 4 weeks for tinea versicolor.

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Summary

Terbinafine is an antifungal medication that is used to treat a range of fungal infections such as jock itch, nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. Terbinafine may also be used to treat tinea versicolor, which is caused by a type of yeast.

Terbinafine comes in different topical forms, but you can also take it as an oral tablet. Your doctor will help you choose the best form for your condition.