Terbinafine Antifungal medication – What it is and how it works? Pros & Cons
Terbinafine is an antifungal medication that is used to treat nail fungal infections. It is considered to be one of the most effective medications that really work to cure nail fungus. It is a powerful drug and is considered fast acting compared to antifungal creams or ointments.
How It Works
Since the nail fungus lives beneath the surface of the nail in the cuticle, using topical medications does not penetrate the nail to get to the fungus and destroy it. Terbinafine comes in pill form and provides systemic antifungal effects. It is taken usually once a day. It is also effective in its properties at eliminating fungal cells within the toenails and fingernails. It can be taken with meals or without. This medication should be taken in its entirety to ensure that it is effective in killing all of the fungus.
Side Effects
Terbinafine can cause side effects due to the duration that it must be taken, and the way it is biodistributed throughout the body. Some of these side effects include diarrhea, indigestion, headaches, inflammation of the liver or liver damage, leukopenia, anemia, joint pain, muscle pain and hair loss. Psychological problems can also be experienced such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and malaise. Some people have reported vision disturbances, metallic taste in mouth, loss of taste and dry mouth, as others have experienced rashes, itchy skin and hives.
Pros of Taking Terbinafine
The pros of taking Terbinafine is that it is very effective at eliminating nail fungus because it works from the inside out. It is also easy to use since it is taken orally, only once a day. It will also prevent the spread of nail fungus to other nails and it will restore the nail back to its healthy appearance.
Cons of Taking Terbinafine
The cons of taking this medication is that it can possibly cause side effects. In order for it to work properly and completely, it must be taken for the entire duration that the doctor prescribes. Treatment can take up to 3 months for the complete elimination of the fungus. Even though the nail may appear to be better, the fungus can still be alive inside the nail. That is why it is so important to complete this medication. The doctor may order lab tests to check for liver damage which means periodic visits to the doctors office. Also, Terbinafine can be quite costly.
