LAMISIL

AN OVERVIEW

Terbinafine is a popular medication which is more popularly available under the brand name of Lamisil in the US and Canada.

Terbinafine is known to act against a type of fungus using a dual mechanics – that of killing the fungus and concurrently inhibiting the growth of the fungus. This prescription drug is available exclusively on the prescription of the doctor and cannot be bought as an over the counter drug.

INDICATIONS

There are wide arrays of diseases that respond to Terbinafine of the likes of:

• Ringworm infection of the body – Tinea Corporis
• Ringworm infection of the foot – Tinea Pedis or Athlete’s foot
• Sun Fungus – Tinea Vesicolor
• Yeast skin infection – Cutaneous Candidiasis

PREPARATION

Terbinafine as a topical application medication is typically packaged as:

· Topical Cream in the US and Canada

· Pump Spray in the US

TOPICAL APPLICATION MODALITY

Terbinafine as a primary topical application is:

• Applied liberally on the affected area and the surrounding skin and allowed to dry
• The Terbinafine cream being gently rubbed into the skin
• The topical Terbinafine cream should well avoid the eyes, ears, nose and the mucous membrane
• Once Terbinafine is applied topically the area is kept open or covered by a semi permeable dressing rather than a occlusive dressing

DOSE REGIME

The Dose regime of Lamisil depends primarily on the disease being treated and the age of the affected patient.

TOPICAL CREAM APPLICATION

• CUTANEOUS CANDIDIASIS

The topical cream is applied three times a day for seven to fourteen days in adults

• TINEA CORPORIS

One to two times a day for seven to fourteen days

• TINEA PEDIS

Used one to two times a day for seven to twenty eight days in adults and children over twelve years of age

• TINEA VESICOLOR

Once or twice a day for seven to fourteen days

SPRAY APPLICATION

• TINEA CORPORIS /CRURIS

Used once a day for seven days

• TINEA PEDIS/VESICOLOR

Used twice a day for seven days

STORAGE

The medicine is best stored keeping some precautions in perspective”

• Keep out of reach of children
• Lamisil is best stored in a location well away from heat or sunlight
• Avoid freezing the medicine while storing
• All outdated medicines need be kept out of reach or ideally – discarded promptly

ADVERSITIES

Lamisil may well exhibit some or all of the following side effects and need be addressed in consultation with the medical professional – should the need arise:

• Skin irritation manifestations – Dryness, redness, itching, peeling or tingling sensation of the skin which would need medical intervention

CONCLUSIVES

Terbinafine or Lamisil as it is popularly known as in the US is one topical application, which has wide ranging therapeutic benefits of the likes of management of skin fungal infections with varying degrees of efficacy. These widely prevalent applications or indications of Terbinafine are associated with a wide array of side effects which predictably makes it mandatory for the health professional to critically evaluate the perceived benefits against the adverse effects – in close consultation with the affected.