Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat severe ringworm (tinea corporis and tinea cruris) 2. To treat athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) 3. To treat fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) 4. To treat relapsed or resistant fungal skin infections 5. To treat widespread (systemic) fungal infections |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting 2. Diarrhea or abdominal pain 3. Headache 4. Skin rash or itching 5. Loss of appetite 6. Changes in taste |
| Additional Information | 1. Usually taken once a day, with or without food, as prescribed by the doctor. 2. Even after finishing the tablets, nails and skin may take a few months to look normal because new healthy growth takes time. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | This medicine is meant to be taken orally |
BrandName Uses
BrandName is an oral antifungal medicine belonging to the category of allylamine antifungal medicine and is used to treat fungal infections in the following areas:
- Fingernails and toenails (onychomycosis)
- Groin area (jock itch)
- Feet (tinea pedis)
- Scalp (tinea capitis)
Directions for use
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
BrandName side effects
More Common
- Feeling sick or upset stomach
- Stomach pain or indigestion
- Loose stools (diarrhea)
- Headache
- Skin rash or itching
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in taste
Less Common
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fatigue or weakness
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (sign of liver problem)
- Dark-colored urine
- Severe rash, blisters, or itching
- Trouble breathing, swelling of face/lips
How BrandName works
BrandName are both antifungal medicines, but they work in slightly different ways to kill fungus. Itraconazole stops the fungus from making a key substance called ergosterol. Ergosterol is required by fungus to prepare its outer cover and shield itself from the surroundings. Terbinafine blocks ergosterol, causing fungus to die. Itraconazole works well for deep internal infections, whereas terbinafine for topical fungal infection
Safety Measures and Warning
Allergy Warning
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to BrandName, or any other antifungal medicine. Taking them again may cause serious allergies, rash, swelling, or breathing problems.
Liver Problems
Do not take this combination if you have serious liver disease, because both medicines are processed by the liver and may worsen your condition.
Kidney Problems
Their skin absorbs more medicine, which can increase the chances of side effects. Always consult your doctor before using it.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The combination may not be safe for the fetus and should only be used if prescribed by a doctor.
BrandName Interaction with Food Product
Itraconazole has an interaction with grapefruit Juice, so it is better to avoid it. While taking Terbinafine, avoid alcohol because it can put extra strain on your liver and increase the risk of liver damage. Try not to consume too much caffeine, such as tea, coffee, or energy drinks, since the medicine may slow down its breakdown and make you feel restless or unable to sleep.
BrandName Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking BrandName with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
BrandName Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) / Chemical name
Terbinafine: N,6,6-trimethyl-N-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)hept-2-en-4-yn-1-amine
Itraconazole: (2R,4S)-rel-1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy-4-[4-(4-[pentyloxy]phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]phenyl]butan-2-ol
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take BrandName exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
Don’t take more than 500 mg of terbinafine per day and 400 mg of itraconazole, as higher doses may cause overdosing effects like extreme nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin/eyes. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
BrandName Summary
BrandName is a combination of two antifungal medicines used to treat a wide range of fungal infections. Itraconazole works for deeper or serious infections like lung infections, body-wide infections, and fungal infection in the food pipe, as well as nail infections. Terbinafine targets fungal infections of the skin, nails, and scalp, including ringworm, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and scalp infections. Together, they attack the fungus from different angles, helping clear infections more effectively.
Common side effects include stomach upset, headache, rash, and loss of appetite, while serious effects such as liver problems, severe rash, or allergic reactions require immediate medical attention. The combination should be used carefully in people with liver or kidney problems, and alcohol should be avoided. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should take it only if prescribed by a doctor.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of terbinafine?
Terbinafine tablets are used to treat fungal infections such as nail fungus (fingernails and toenails), ringworm on the body, groin (jock itch), feet (athlete’s foot), scalp, and other skin infections caused by fungus.
What are the side effects of terbinafine?
Common side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, loss of appetite, and changes in taste. Rarely, it may cause serious problems like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe rash, or trouble breathing if these happen, consult a doctor immediately.
How does terbinafine work?
Terbinafine works by blocking a substance the fungus needs to build its outer covering (cell wall). Without this, the fungus cannot grow and eventually dies, which helps clear the infection.
Can I take terbinafine during pregnancy?
Terbinafine is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless the doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks. There is limited safety information in pregnant women, so it should only be used if necessary and prescribed by a doctor.
Can I take itraconazole 100 mg twice daily?
Itraconazole 100 mg is prescribed for onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), systemic fungal infections (like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis), oral or esophageal candidiasis (when severe or resistant to topical treatment) and aspergillosis (lung infection caused by fungus). Whereas it can be taken 2 times in the morning and evening.
What are the uses of itraconazole?
It is used for the following infections like onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), systemic fungal infections (like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis), oral or esophageal candidiasis (when severe or resistant to topical treatment), aspergillosis (lung infection caused by fungus)
What are the side effects of itraconazole?
Itraconazole side effects generally include decreased urine output, dry mouth, fever, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures
Reference
- PubChem. Terbinafine [Internet]. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available from
- Terbinafine Dosage Guide + Max Dose, Adjustments [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from
- Terbinafine (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names – Mayo Clinic [Internet]. www.mayoclinic.org. Available from
- Babu PR, Pravin AJS, Deshmukh G, Dhoot D, Samant A, Kotak B. Efficacy and Safety of Terbinafine 500 mg Once Daily in Patients with Dermatophytosis. Indian Journal of Dermatology [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Aug 18];62(4):395–9. Available from
- Itraconazole (oral route) [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- https://www.facebook.com/Drugscom. Itraconazole Disease Interactions [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- PubChem. Itraconazole [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
Authors
Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.