About Lamisil
This medication is an antifungal approved for the treatment of
several types of fungal infection. It works by blocking the production
of an essential compound in the cell walls of fungi.
Lamisil is approved to treat the following conditions: Tinea (ringworm)
infections throughout the body, groin, and scalp. Onychomycosis,
or fungal infections of the finger and toenails. It is also useful
against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum infections,
as well.
Clinical use has also found it useful for treating: Candida albicans
(yeast), Epidermophyton floccosum, and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis.
Lamisil is only available by prescription.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects: Diarrhea, indigestion.
Less Common Side Effects: Altered sense of taste, gas, nausea
(mild), stomach cramps or pain (mild and infrequent), vision disturbance.
Serious Side Effects: Allergic skin reaction (blistering,
hives, itching, peeling, rash, redness), dark urine, decreased appetite,
fatigue, flu-like symptoms, hair loss, joint pain, muscle aches,
pale stools, persistent headache, persistent stomach pain, unusual
bleeding or bruising, nausea and vomiting (severe and persistent),
yellow eyes or skin. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical
attention.
Overdose: If you take too much of this medication and experience
dizziness, frequent urination, headache, nausea, rash, stomach pain,
and vomiting, particularly if you have several of the symptoms together,
seek immediate medical attention.
Cautions: This medication is not suitable for everyone.
Be sure to inform your doctor of any of the following conditions.
- Alcohol Abuse: This medication should never be mixed with alcohol,
and for the safest care, alcohol should not be used during treatment.
If you have an untreated alcohol dependency problem, Lamisil tablets
may not be right for you.
- Allergies: If you have, or have had in the past, an allergic
reaction to this medication, you will not be able to use it.
- Kidney or Liver Disease: Individuals with active kidney or liver
disease should not use Lamisil tablets.
Lamisil Interactions
This treatment may not be suitable for use with all other prescription
or over the counter medications, so be sure to inform your doctor
if you take or plan to use any of the following:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) - This combination increases
the risk of liver damage.
- Alcohol - This medication should not be mixed with alcohol,
and alcohol should be avoided during treatment with ingested forms
of this medication. Severe liver damage could result.
- Aldomet (methyldopa) - This combination increases the risk of
liver damage.
- Anabolic steroids - This combination increases the risk of liver
damage.
- Androgens (male hormones) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Antithyroid drugs (treatment for overactive thyroid) - This
combination increases the risk of liver damage.
- Aralen (chloroquine) - This combination increases the risk of
liver damage.
- Azole antifungals - Drugs like Diflucan
(fluconazole), Nizoral
(ketoconazole), and Sporanox
(itraconazole), pose an ncreased risk of terbinafine side
effects.
- Antabuse (disulfiram) - Increases the risk of side effects,
especially liver damage.
- Barbiturates - Drugs like phenobarbital and phenylbutazone may
prevent terbinafine from being an effective treatment.
- Biaxin (clarithromycin) - Increased risk of terbinafine side
effects.
- BiCNU (carmustine) - This combination increases the risk of
liver damage.
- Calan (verapamil) - Increased
risk of terbinafine side effects.
- Cardizem (diltiazem) -
Increased risk of terbinafine side effects.
- Cordarone (amiodarone) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Corticosteroids (cortisone) - Terbinafine may not be an effective
treatment in combination with this medication.
- Cerubidine (daunorubicin) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Chloromycetin (chloramphenicol) - Increased risk of terbinafine
side effects.
- Dantrium (dantrolene) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Depakene (valproic acid) or Depakote (divalproex) - Increases
the risk of side effects, especially liver damage.
- Dilantin (phenytoin) - Decreases terbinafine's effectiveness,
and increases the risk of side effects like liver damage.
- Erythromycins - Increased risk of terbinafine side effects.
- Estrogens, Oral Contraceptives (female hormones) - This combination
increases the risk of liver damage.
- Gold salts (arthritis treatment) - This combination increases
the risk of liver damage.
- Grisovin (griseofulvin) - Terbinafine may not be an effective
treatment in combination with this medication.
- Isoniazid - Increased risk of terbinafine side effects.
- Mexate (methotrexate) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Mithracin (plicamycin) - This combination increases the risk
of liver damage.
- Mysoline (primidone) - Terbinafine may not be an effective treatment
in combination with this medication.
- Phenothiazines - Medications like Compazine (prochlorperazine),
Mellaril (thioridazine), Phenergan (promethazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine),
Serentil (mesoridazine), Sparine (promazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine),
Temaril (trimeprazine), Tindal (acetophenazine), Thorazine (chlorpromazine),
Trilafon (perphenazine), and Vesprin (triflupromazine). These
tranquilizers and antipsychotics increase the risk of liver damage
in combination with terbinafine.
- Plaquenil (hydroxchloroquine) - This combination increases the
risk of liver damage.
- Purinethol (Mercaptopurine) - This combination increases the
risk of liver damage.
- Rifadin (rifampin) - Terbinafine may not be an effective treatment
in combination with this medication.
- Quinamm (quinine) - Increased risk of terbinafine side effects.
- Tegison (etretinate) - This combination increases the risk of
liver damage.
- Tegretol (carbamazepine) - Terbinafine may not be an effective
treatment in combination with this medication.
- Trexan (naltrexone) - This combination increases the risk of
liver damage.
- Zantac (ranitidine) - Increased risk of terbinafine side effects.
Interactions are less likely when using topical Lamisil solution,
but it's still prudent to check with your doctor or pharmacist
about possible issues. Lamisil Dosages
Lamisil comes in the following forms:
- Solution - 1%, should not be swallowed, or applied to the eyes,
nose, or vagina. Use for fungal infections of the foot, skin,
or male genitals only.
- Tablets - 250 mg
The tablet form of this medication is typically prescibed in doses
of 250 mg once daily, for 2-12 weeks depending on your condition.
For external infections treated with the solution, follow your doctor's
instructions about frequency of use.
Lamisil Directions
Do not increase your dose of Lamisil without instructions from
your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember,
unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose
of Lamisil and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double
doses of this medication.
For external infections, keep the affected area clean, dry, and
out of contact with other people. External fungal infections are
contagious. If the crotch area is infected, avoid unprotected intercourse.
Take Lamisil for as long as your doctor prescribes. Do not stop
taking it until your doctor advises you to do so, even if you feel
better. It may take an additional two to four weeks (perhaps several
months for some cases) after the symptoms of infection subside to
rid your body of the yeast or fungus completely. A fungal infection
may return if you don't take the full prescribed course of the medication.
Store Lamisil away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date. Do not
allow the solution to freeze.
Keep Lamisil away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
Lamisil and Pregnancy
No studies exist on how this medication affects pregnant women or breastfeeding infants. It is recommended that treatment of fungal infection be postponed until after pregnancy, and women who wish to breastfeed should consult their doctors.
Lamisil and Children
This medication has not been studied for safety in children.
Lamisil and Seniors
There is no specific information on whether or not this medication acts differently in the senior population. Your doctor may start you out on lower doses as a precautionary measure, a common practice when prescribing medication to individuals over the age of 60.
Lamisil is a trademark of Novartis
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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