Lamisil Cream (Terbinafine)

Lamisil general information

What is Lamisil used for?

Lamisil cream 1% is a topical medication used to treat fungal infection of the skin, primarily infection with tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot, commonly known as athlete’s foot. Lamisil cream can also be used for tinea infection in other parts of the body, including: ringworm of the body (tinea corporis), the groin (tinea cruris; jock itch), and tinea versicolor known as “sun fungus” (pityriasis versicolor). Lamisil cream is also used to treat Candida infection of the skin (cutaneous candidiasis).

How does Lamisil work?

Lamisil cream 1% contains terbinafine, a broad spectrum antifungal drug that is used to treat a variety of fungal infections, and is particularly effective against dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton fungi that cause tinea infections in different parts of the body; also yeasts like Candida that cause candidiasis or thrush. Terbinafine in Lamisil cream 1% inhibits a fungal enzyme, squalene epoxidase, which prevents the synthesis of ergosterol, a sterol that is the main component of the fungal cell membrane. The result is that the fungal cell membrane becomes weakened causing the cell contents to leak out, which kills the fungus and prevents the infection from spreading, relieving symptoms caused by the infection, including, itching and inflammation.

What does Lamisil contain?

Lamisil cream 1% contains the active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride (1%), an antifungal drug used to treat fungal infections. It also contains: sodium hydroxide, benzyl alcohol, sorbitan monostearate, cetyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, isopropyl myristate, demineralised water.

Treating Athlete’s foot with Lamisil

Lamisil cream 1% contains terbinafine, a broad spectrum antifungal drug that is used to treat fungal infection of the skin, and is particularly effective against the fungus that causes tinea infections or ringworm, such as tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot, commonly known as athlete’s foot. Terbinafine in Lamisil cream 1% contains inhibits a fungal enzyme, squalene epoxidase, which prevents the synthesis of ergosterol, the main component of the fungal cell membrane. Lamisil cream 1% kills the fungus and prevents the infection from spreading, relieving symptoms caused by the infection, including, itching and inflammation.

Treating fungal infections of the skin with Lamisil

Lamisil cream 1% contains terbinafine, a broad spectrum antifungal drug that is used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the skin, and is particularly effective against fungi that cause tinea infections or ringworm. Several parts of the body can be affected and the fungus is often named after the site of infection; these include, ringworm of the foot, also known as Athlete's foot (tinea pedis), of the body (tinea corporis), of the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch), of the scalp (tinea capitis. Terbinafine in Lamisil cream 1% contains inhibits a fungal enzyme, squalene epoxidase, which prevents the synthesis of ergosterol, the main component of the fungal cell membrane. Lamisil cream 1% kills the fungus and prevents the infection from spreading, relieving symptoms caused by the infection, including, itching and inflammation.

What are the side effects of Lamisil?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lamisil cream 1% include: redness, itching or stinging at the site of application.

When should Lamisil not be used?

You should not use Lamisil cream 1% if you:

• are allergic to terbinafine or any ingredients in Lamisil
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding

How should Lamisil be used?

You should apply Lamisil cream 1% to the affected areas once or twice daily, depending on the severity of the infection. You should continue the treatment as recommended by your doctor, usually for 1-2 weeks until all signs and symptoms of the infection have disappeared. Apply the cream to clean dry skin and rub gently into the skin. Wash your hands to prevent spreading the infection. Do not get the cream into your eyes.

How long should you use Lamisil?

You should continue to apply your Lamisil cream 1% as recommended by your doctor, usually for 1-2 weeks until all signs and symptoms of the infection have disappeared.

Missed dose of Lamisil

If you miss an application of Lamisil cream 1% apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Lamisil be stored?

You should store your Lamisil cream 1% below 25°C in a cool dry place.