What Is Lamisil?
Lamisil® (terbinafine hydrochloride) is a prescription medication that is used to treat fingernail or toenail fungus. A new form of Lamisil (oral granules) has also been approved to treat a fungal infection called tinea capitis (also known as ringworm of the scalp).
(Click Lamisil Uses for more information on what Lamisil is used for, including possible off-label uses of this drug.)
Who Makes Lamisil?
Lamisil is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
How Does Lamisil Work?
Nail fungus (known medically as onychomycosis) is an infection caused by certain types of fungi. As a result of this infection, fingernails and/or toenails can become thick, brittle, and discolored.
Lamisil comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth. After entering the blood, the medication slowly moves into the skin and nails. Here, it acts on certain types of fungi to either kill or slow down the growth of the fungus that is causing the infection.
Lamisil works similarly to treat tinea capitus (ringworm of the scalp). This problem is caused by a fungus, and Lamisil works by killing the fungus.
Effects of Lamisil
Several studies have been conducted on how well Lamisil treats toenail and fingernail fungus. These studies showed that in 70 percent of cases, Lamisil was an effective "toenail fungus cure." In 79 percent of cases, Lamisil cured fingernail fungus. A nail fungus cure was defined as there being no evidence of fungus when part of the nail was looked at under a microscope.
In clinical studies, about 60 percent of people had significant improvements in the appearance of their nails. However, not all people who use Lamisil will have nails that look better (that is, have nails that are less thick, brittle, or discolored).
It also takes time to see the effects of Lamisil, as you will have to wait until a new nail grows to see any improvement. For toenails, the average time for overall success is about 10 months; for fingernails, it is about four months. About 15 percent of people had a return of the fungus following the initial treatment.
When and How to Take Lamisil
General considerations for when and how to take Lamisil include the following:
Lamisil comes in tablet form. It should be taken by mouth once a day. For treating ringworm of the scalp, Lamisil comes in oral granule form (which is also taken by mouth once a day.)
For fingernail fungus or for ringworm of the scalp, Lamisil should be taken for six weeks. For toenail fungus, Lamisil should be taken for 12 weeks.
Lamisil can be taken with or without food.
Do not break, chew, or crush the Lamisil tablets.
Lamisil oral granules should be sprinkled on a spoonful of non-acidic food, such as pudding or mashed potatoes (but not on applesauce or any fruit-based foods).
Lamisil should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
For Lamisil to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Lamisil will not work if you stop taking it.
