Is Terbinafine (ointment for nail fungus) effective? Reviews of specialists and those who have ever used this medication will be presented at the end of the article. From it you will learn about what components are part of the mentioned funds, how it should be applied to the affected areas, whether it has contraindications and so on.
Composition, packaging and description of the drug
What substances does Terbinafine (ointment for nail fungus) contain? The instruction reports that the active element of this medication is terbinafine hydrochloride. It also includes auxiliary ingredients in the form of paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, glyceryl, purified water, cetomacrogol 1000, propylene glycol, dimethicone, benzyl alcohol, poloxamer.
In what packaging can I buy Terbinafine? The ointment from the nail fungus is placed in aluminum tubes or orange glass jars, which are contained in a cardboard bundle.
Pharmacological characteristics
What is a local remedy like Terbinafine (nail fungus ointment)? Reviews of experts report that this is an antifungal drug that has a wide spectrum of antifungal action.
Applying even a small amount of medication, it can have a fungicidal effect against certain dimorphic and mold fungi, as well as dermatophytes. As for yeast fungi, the activity of the drug in relation to them depends on the species (for example, it may exhibit fungistatic or fungicidal activity).
Operating principle
How does the medicine “Terbinafine” (ointment from nail fungus) work? The use of this drug contributes to a change in the early stage of biological synthesis of sterols in mushrooms. Such an effect leads to intracellular accumulation of squalene, as well as a lack of ergosterol, which, in fact, causes the death of malicious cells.
The action of the agent in question is carried out by inhibiting the enzyme squalene epoxidase, which are located on the cell membrane of the fungus. It should also be noted that the ointment "Terbinafine" has no effect on the cytochrome P450 system and, accordingly, on the metabolism of other drugs and hormones.
Pharmacokinetics of the local drug
Is the “Terbinafine” medication (ointment for nail fungus) absorbed? Reviews of experts report that after applying this drug to the skin, a transparent film forms. From it, the drug is absorbed into the blood. The absorption of the drug from the skin is minimal and does not exceed 5% of the total dose.
Indications for use
Does Terbinafine help with nail fungus? Reviews of doctors say that this medication is really a very effective tool aimed at combating various types of fungi. According to the instructions, the drug in question is prescribed for:
- yeast infections of the skin that were caused by the genus Candida (in particular, diaper rash);
- multi-colored lichen.
It should also be noted that the ointment "Terbinafine" is used for the prevention and tolerance of fungal infections of the skin, inguinal epidermophytosis, foot mycoses, fungal infections of smooth integuments that were caused by dermatophytes.
Contraindications
Does the preparation “Terbinafine” (ointment for nail fungus) have contraindications? Reviews of experts indicate only one ban:
- hypersensitivity of the patient to the active substance or to any of the auxiliary ingredients.
It should be noted that with special care this medication is prescribed for alcoholism, liver failure, tumors, metabolic diseases, renal failure, suppression of bone marrow hematopoiesis, in children under 12 years of age, as well as for occlusive vascular diseases of the extremities.
How to use "Terbinafine" (ointment) for nail fungus?
Reviews on this drug will be presented below.
For adults and children from 12 years of age, the medication is prescribed externally. Before applying, the affected areas are cleaned and dried. Ointment is used twice a day. A thin layer is applied to the affected skin, as well as the areas adjacent to it (gently rubbed).
In infectious diseases that are accompanied by diaper rash (for example, in the interdigital spaces, under the mammary glands, in the inguinal region and between the buttocks), it is recommended to cover the ointment with a gauze bandage (especially at night).
The average duration of therapy for dermatomycosis of the trunk, feet and legs is one week (once a day). With skin candidiasis, the ointment should be used 1-2 weeks twice a day. Treatment of multicolored lichen is carried out two weeks twice a day.
The therapeutic effectiveness of the drug is observed in the first days of treatment. With irregular therapy or its premature termination, there is a high risk of a resumption of infection. If after 2 weeks there are no signs of improvement, it is necessary to verify the diagnosis.
Side effects
Now you know how the treatment of nail fungus “Terbinafine” is carried out. Reviews of experts say that side effects from the use of this drug are extremely rare. Due to the fact that the ointment is used only externally, undesirable reactions occur only externally. In most cases, they are reduced to itching, redness of the skin and burning at the place of application. Allergic reactions can sometimes develop.
Overdose cases
To date, cases of overdose with the drug in question have not been recorded. However, experts report that if you randomly take the ointment inside, you can expect the appearance of the same side effects as with an overdose of pills (nausea, headache, stomach pain and dizziness).
As a treatment, the patient is given activated charcoal.
Lactation and the period of gestation
During experimental studies of teratogenic properties in the drug "Terbinafine" was not detected. It should also be noted that until today no pathologies of the fetus have been reported with the use of the medication in question. However, doctors do not recommend the use of ointment during pregnancy. It can be prescribed only in extreme cases, according to strict indications.
According to the instructions, the drug "Terbinafine" is able to be excreted together with breast milk. But when applying the ointment, it is absorbed through the skin in minimal quantities. Therefore, a negative effect on the baby is unlikely.
Special recommendations for the use of ointment
Before using the local drug “Terbinafine”, you should know that a decrease in the severity of clinical symptoms is usually observed in the first days of therapy. If the ointment was used irregularly or its use was interrupted due to a number of reasons, that is, there is a high risk of infection recurrence.
The medication in question is intended for external use only. Therefore, avoid contact with eyes. Otherwise, it can cause severe irritation.
If the ointment still got on the mucous membranes, then they must be washed immediately with warm water. If irritation develops, consult a doctor. If allergic reactions occur during the use of this drug, then it must be canceled.
Price and analogues
What can replace Terbinafine ointment? There are not very many analogues in this form of the drug. The most popular is Lamisil gel. As for other forms, they include the following funds: Atifin, Thermicon, Lamifen, Exifin, Terbizil, Fungoterbin, Mikofin, Terbinox, Binafin, Lamikon "," Fungotek. "
As for the price, then the medication in question is not very high. You can buy ointment in the amount of 15 g for 60-70 rubles.
Reviews on the local drug
The drug "Terbinafine" has a pretty good reputation. This is due to the fact that in the vast majority it completely cures the patient of the fungus. The correct use of the ointment, as well as the full course of treatment, helps to get rid of the mentioned problem in the shortest possible time.
However, the effectiveness and safety of the drug "Terbinafine" are far from the only reasons for its acquisition as an antifungal agent. Patients report that the main advantages of this medication are its availability, low price, the absence of strict contraindications and side effects.
Experts adhere to the same opinion, and therefore believe that the drug in question is the No. 1 antifungal agent in Russia.