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IMPORTANT
NOTE: The following information is intended
to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to indicate
that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective
for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
using this drug.
TERBINAFINE ORAL (ter-BIN-uh-feen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Lamisil
USES: This is an
anti fungal medication used to treat fungal infections
of the fingernail or toenail.
HOW TO USE: Take
this by mouth as directed usually once a day. Treatment
may continue for 6 weeks for a fingernail infection
or 12 weeks for a toenail infection. Another method
of dosing involves using the drug for one week per
month until treatment is completed. Continue to take
this until the full prescribed amount is finished.
Stopping the medication too early may result in ineffective
treatment or a relapse of the infection.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache,
diarrhea, gas, stomach upset, nausea or rash may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify
your doctor. You may experience a temporary loss or
change in taste sensation that will return after the
medication is stopped. Tell your doctor immediately
if these highly unlikely but very serious side effects
occur: easy bleeding or bruising, persistent sore
throat, vision changes, fever. Rarely, serious and
possibly fatal liver disease has occurred during oral
terbinafine use. Immediately report symptoms such
as: dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, extreme fatigue,
vomiting. In the unlikely event you have an allergic
reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching,
swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice
other effects not listed above, contact your doctor
or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell
your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney
disease, liver disease, drug allergies. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant before taking this drug.
Because fungal toenail or fingernail infection treatment
generally should be postponed until after pregnancy,
discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This
drug is excreted into breast milk and therefore is
not recommended for use while breast-feeding. Consult
with your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of any nonprescription or prescription
medication you may take, including: rifampin, rifabutin,
cyclosporine, warfarin, cimetidine. Do not start or
stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose
is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose
may include headache, nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness.
NOTES: The fungal
infection may be cured within several weeks. However,
the nail bed may not appear healthy until it grows
out completely over a few months. If it does not improve
or becomes worse with continued therapy, notify your
doctor. This medication is prescribed for your current
condition only. Do not use it for another infection
or share it with others. Another infection later on
may require a different medicine. Your doctor may
periodically perform lab tests during treatment to
monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you
miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it
is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not
"double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at
room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 to
25 degrees C) away from heat and light as directed.
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