Anyone taken oral Terbinafine?

[fluffyugg]

Hi, I've been prescribed this for a fungal nail infection which I've had for years and really want sorted. I was feeling so excited to start on this but reading the possible side effects is making me think twice. Hair loss is mentioned amongst many other things. Not sure how side effects work so am wondering if I experienced any would they stop immediately if I stopped taking the medication?
Thanks!

My dh took it with no side effects

I took it for quite a long time and had no side effects , it worked really well for me as I had a fungal nail issue and resistant athletes foot . I’ve also had no issues with either since I’ve been off it which was several years ago .

Yes, I had no side effects at all.

I am a foot health specialist. I must admit it is unusual for a dr to prescribe oral terbinafine for a fungal nail infection. Have you been offered a kidney function test? As this is the greatest issue surrounding terbinafine. I treat alot of dr’s for fungal nails and they won’t take the oral medication due to its side effects. I am sure that will tell you something. If i were you, ratherthan treating your whole body for a fungal infection i eould seek out the help of your local foot specialist who can help you treat this and have a less ravaging effect on your body. Where are you based OP?

Too add, the secret is getting a professional to prepare the nails properly, and then treating them. This is the reason why most people don’t get good results from over the counter meds, as they put treatment on top of dead nail.

My dh did get regular tests while taking it. He was on it for about 6 months as he had several affected toes that didn't respond to other treatments

I took it and it actually made me feel terrible. Queasy all the time. It was prescribed for 3 months and I could only manage 1. However it did fix it and I had a persistent infection in both feet and some toes that topical creams could not fix at all. If I had continued, they wanted to do kidney and liver function tests

No hair loss but I got indigestion after a while.

I took it for around 6 months, and it did the job. Did have a couple of kidney tests before and during the course though.

Usually, when people don’t respond to treatment it is because they use the treatment only and are not made aware of the preparation involved.

@Madbengalmum I'm in N Scotland. Thanks for the info, the dr did mention liver tests but said it wasn't necessary to do this. My DH has been to a podiatrist for his (1 nail) and was given the topical stuff. How would a foot specialist cure it on all 10 toes without oral medication? I'd be keen to go down this route if at all possible.

It all depends on the practitioner. If they can prepare the nail bed properly and then it is treated daily you should see a good improvement. It really depends on what the pod has done. I see lots of people who have tried laser/topical etc and haven’t seen improvement. Depends on the time spent and how treatment has been administered. I am sorry, you aren’t nearer to me, i would have offered help x

To add, myself and most of the dr’s i treat would avoid Terbinafine like the plague if you can.

@Madbengalmum thanks. It just feels like the only option left as they are so bad I imagine it would take a lot of time (and money) to treat topically. Going to think about it and reassess in the new year. I've read lots of success stories about terbinafine but the side affects do worry me a bit.

Not as much money as you think, you need them thinning on every 4/5 weeks. Have a think, and good luck.

@Madbengalmum every 4/5 weeks for 6 months or longer? I'll definitely find out about this as I'd much rather do it that way. What should I be asking for from a foot specialist?

I can’t tell you how long, as i have had patients who take 3months and some who take a year, every one is different. Pm me whereabouts you are and i will get details of someone nearby for you if that helps.

@Madbengalmum thanks so much. I will do that