Mycoses are diseases that are caused by parasitic fungi. They can multiply on the skin and nail plates, as well as on internal organs.
Fungal lesions are not only unpleasant, but also a contagious disease. It is quite easily transmitted from animal to person and from person to person.
Today, there are many different drugs that effectively fight mycoses. One of the most popular of them is the medication "Terbinafine". Analogues of this tool, as well as its release form, properties and methods of application will be presented below.
Release form, description, packaging, composition
In what form is the antifungal drug Terbinafine made? Cream is not the only form of this product. But it is she who is especially popular with patients.
1% cream "Terbinafine" from nail fungus for external use has a white color, a uniform texture and a weak characteristic smell.
The active ingredient of this drug is terbinafine hydrochloride. Also, benzyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, purified water and sodium hydroxide are used as auxiliary substances to create the said agent.
In what packaging is an antifungal agent such as Terbinafine sold? The cream goes on sale in aluminum tubes (30, 15 g), as well as in glass orange jars.
In addition to this form, the drug is available in the form of a spray, ointment, tablets and solution.
Characteristics of the external agent
What is Terbinafine (cream)? The instruction claims that it is an antifungal agent intended for local use. It has a wide spectrum of antimycotic activity. Even at low concentrations, the drug exhibits a fungicidal effect against mold fungi, dermatophytes and dimorphic fungi. As for yeast parasites, depending on their type, the drug in question can exhibit both fungicidal and fungistatic activity.
Mechanism of action
How does Terbinafine work? The cream specifically changes the early stage of biological synthesis of sterols, which occurs in mushrooms. Ultimately, this leads to a lack of ergosterol, as well as the accumulation of squalene inside the cells, which contributes to their death.
The mechanism of action of Terbinafine is explained by the inhibition of the squalene epoxidase enzyme located on the cell membrane of the fungus.
It should also be said that the mentioned tool does not affect the cytochrome P 450 system, as well as the metabolism of hormones and other drugs.
Kinetic features
Is the antifungal drug Terbinafine absorbed? The cream with local use is absorbed by 5%. Therefore, this medication is able to have only a slight systemic effect.
Indications
For what purposes can a drug such as Terbinafine be used? Cream, the price of which is indicated below, is prescribed in the following cases:
- for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections of smooth skin, fungal infections of the skin, fungus, as well as inguinal epidermophytosis and foot mycoses provoked by dermatophytes;
- for the treatment of multicolored lichen;
- for the treatment of skin yeast infections caused by Candida fungi, including diaper rash.
Contraindications
In what cases can not use the drug "Terbinafine"? Cream, the price of which is not very high, is forbidden to apply in the presence of hypersensitivity to terbinafine or to any of the auxiliary ingredients that make up the drug.
With caution, this medication is prescribed for occlusive diseases of the vessels of the legs, inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis, liver and kidney failure, metabolic diseases, alcoholism, tumors and in children under 12 years of age.
How to use the antifungal agent "Terbinafine" (cream)?
Reviews of experts report that this drug is intended solely for external application. It can be used only by adult patients and adolescents from 12 years old.
Before applying the drug, it is required to clean and then dry the affected areas. The medication is used once or twice a day. It is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin, as well as to adjacent areas.
Gently rubbing the cream, it is left in this form without rinsing.
For infections that are accompanied by diaper rash, the place of application of the drug is allowed to cover with gauze (at night).
In the presence of extensive fungal lesions of the body, the drug is recommended to be used in tubes of 30 g.
The duration of therapy with this agent depends on the type of fungal disease. With dermatomycosis of the trunk, feet and legs, the treatment is carried out for a week, using the cream once a day. In case of candidiasis of the skin and multi-colored lichen, the drug is recommended to be used for two weeks, lubricating the affected areas twice a day.
As a rule, a decrease in the severity of the clinical signs of fungal lesions is noted in the first days of therapy. With irregular use of the drug or premature termination of the treatment process, there is a risk of re-development of the infection.
If 2 weeks after the start of therapy there are no signs of improvement, it is necessary to verify the diagnosis.
The dosage of the drug in elderly patients does not differ from the above.
The method of application of the spray "Terbinafine"
Spray "Terbinafine" is used by patients as often as the cream. Usually this form of the drug is prescribed for the treatment of fungal diseases of nails, skin and hair.
Before using the medication, the skin is pre-washed and dried. Next, "Terbinafine" is applied to the affected area. The spray is sprayed so that it captures a bit of healthy skin.
The duration of therapy with this agent and the frequency of its use depend on the location of the fungus.
Antifungal overdose
No cases of overdose with Terbinafine have been reported to date. If it was accidentally taken orally, then we can expect the development of side effects such as headache, epigastric pain, nausea and dizziness.
To eliminate such symptoms, the victim is given sorbents, and if necessary, supportive therapy is carried out.
Special recommendations for the use of cream
A decrease in the severity of symptoms of a fungal disease is noted on the first day of treatment. With irregular use of the cream or premature termination of therapy, there is a high risk of infection recurrence.
The drug "Terbinafine" is intended only for external application. It is necessary to avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes, otherwise it can cause severe irritation.
If allergies develop, you should immediately stop using the cream.
Price and analogues of an antifungal agent
The price of Terbinafine cream is about 130-160 rubles (for a 15 g tube). Other forms of release of the drug may have a higher cost.
What can replace the medicine “Terbinafine”? Analogs of this tool are sold in all pharmacies. These include the following: Atifin, Bramizil, Binafin, Lamizil, Lamel, Lamikan, Mikonorm, Onykhon, Mikoterbin, Tebikur, Terbiks, Terbizil "," Fungoterbin. "
Consumer reviews about the drug
Currently, the drug "Terbinafine" in various forms of release has a good reputation, since complete cure for fungal infections is achieved in most cases.
Using the remedy correctly, it quickly relieves a person of unpleasant problems.
As for the negative messages, most often they are left by people who have not completed the full course of treatment or have used the medication irregularly.