Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Fingernail User Reviews

• C W...
• April 5, 2020

"I've had a fungal fingernail infection for roughly 25 years. It started on my left ring finger, spread to my thumb, then to every fingernail on my left hand. I've tried all topical creams, ointments, and herbal remedies. I even soaked my nails in a half bleach/half water solution daily. The ends of my fingers became deformed. The fingernail detached from the nail bed and fell off. The first dermatologist was wrong and said it was eczema. The second dermatologist took a sample of the nail and showed it was a fungal infection. Prescribed terbinafine (generic Lamisil) pill for 4 months. Didn't think it was helping because I couldn't see a difference until about the 10th week. A brand new normal fingernail started growing in at the cuticle. No negative side effects. It's been 2 months since I stopped taking the medication; a new, healthier nail continues to grow. Three nails have completely cleared up! I know this is long-winded (TL;DR), but this stuff saved my nails, and I'm not self-conscious anymore."

• jer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2012

Lamisil (terbinafine) "I am a healthy 25-year-old male. I cannot remember my toenails not having fungus. I lived through the embarrassment seemingly my whole life, but once my thumbnail became infected to the point where it was practically gone, I had to do anything to treat it. The doctor suggested I take Lamisil. I think he said it has like a 50% chance of working. I was very nervous after reading reviews, but it also helps that I never drink alcohol. I took it from Dec. '11 until March '12, had one liver panel done (normal result). I believe by April my thumbnail was 100% healthy and now (9/12) my toenails are 99% healthy. Thank you. The only side effect I noticed wasn't bad, just that my farts/stool smelled metallic. I say give it a shot, you can always stop taking it."

• Way...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

Lamisil (terbinafine) "I have had fingernail fungus for about 5 years now. It started on my left hand thumb and pointer finger. It has since spread to 6 total fingernails and all my toes. Only my big toes got thick and yellow. I don't believe I had a bad case compared to pics I have seen. I tried Ciclopirox for 8 months on all my toes and fingernails. It definitely helped, especially since I ground down 3 fingernails and both big toes. But it got to be such a big pain I decided to try Lamisil. I've taken a total of 21 pills in the last 60 days, and what a difference! My fingernails were clearing up after 14 pills. Completely growing back from the base of the nail up. All my small toes are clearer and the big toes too, just not as much. Zero side effects. I should have done this years ago!"

• jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2015

Lamisil (terbinafine) "I had my fungus infection for about 5 years, too long. I finally decided to go to the doctor and get something to get rid of the nasty stuff (I had it on almost all my nails, both feet and hands). The doctor told me it was going to take about 6 months to have nice, healthy nails. So to make it short, I noticed my healthy nails growing out in 3 weeks. PLEASE don't spend your money on over-the-counter stuff: lotions, soaps, etc. Take the pill, it works very, very well. It's been about 4 years now, and I have been fungus-free."

• Roa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2020

"I am only 2 weeks in - and after being terrified by these reviews - I needed to post. First of all - based on side effect fears, I am taking a probiotic, biotin, and Gas-X every day. Side effects? A tiny bit gassy - but other than that - none. Results thus far? I can clearly see that the fungus is dead. Now I just need to wait for my nails to grow into the lovely state they were before."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2016

Lamisil (terbinafine) "Not worth the risk! The fungus is definitely clearing up, but I've lost my taste, so I'm losing weight (the wrong way) because everything I eat or drink is nasty tasting. I get hungry, but eat a few bites, and it tastes like mush. I lose my appetite and stop eating. My skin is itchy, and I have a thick, coated tongue that's sensitive and achy with a constant feeling of something stuck in the back of my throat. Now I read that my taste buds may not ever wake up again! That's going to seriously lower my quality of life! If I'd known these side effects before taking Lamisil, I wouldn't have taken the risk! Using a topical twice a day of tea tree oil, Vick's VapoRub, or FungiNail for the rest of my life would be worth it to have my taste back!"

• Uro...
• November 16, 2013

Lamisil (terbinafine) "I've been suffering from onychomycosis on my fingernails for a good 4 years. Sadly, in the first 3 years, we tried alternative medications, creams, etc., which didn't help. Finally, I went to another doctor, and she prescribed me Lamisil after running blood tests. My nails have massively improved since early this year. My fingernail, which was 90% covered in dead tissue, is now only at about 20%, and it actually makes me feel better about myself because it's gotten so much better I don't have to hide my fingers anymore. Before using Lamisil, I've been using Loceryl for about a few months, and even now, whilst using Lamisil, I use Loceryl from time to time. Side effect: loss of appetite in the last few weeks. Food isn't as appealing to me anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2018

Lamisil (terbinafine) "Took for 41 days - stopped because of diarrhea, which I have had for 2 weeks now. Tried taking Imodium, but it doesn’t help. Ate the BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple, toast) for several days - didn’t help. Not worth the side effect, and can’t get a decent answer as to when the diarrhea will stop."

• Rya...
• May 15, 2016

"I took this medication for 90 days and experienced some side effects. The main one was fatigue and slight brain fog. To mitigate this effect, I would take it before bed. I also had a dull ache that would come and go near my liver, but my liver test came back fine. Another effect was that it made me slightly more agitated and anxious. I experienced no taste loss as others have experienced, though. It seems like new nails are growing in nicely, but it remains to be seen if all of the infected nail will grow out. Best of luck to anyone who gives it a shot."

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

"I have been dealing with sensitive, red, and swollen feet for 2 decades. I have spent tens of thousands on Drs. and misdiagnoses. Not to mention pain to the point of requiring a narcotic script to be able to walk on my feet. And I’m an old-school outdoorsman raised by WWII vets in the woods of N.E. No whining allowed. I accidentally shone a black light on my feet while examining A/C ducts at home, they were lime green. I told my doctor this and was prescribed Lamisil for 6 months. 3 months in now, a little irritable, a little depressed, very fatigued. But I can walk without pain. I wish someone had figured this out back in the 1990s when it started. Seriously, it’s been a lifesaving drug."

• AMD...
• January 2, 2017

"I have been taking this medication for a fingernail infection for about 8 months. I had lost about half of each fingernail. By about 4-6 months, my fingernails were grown almost down to a normal level on my nail bed, and by 8 months, I can see almost about 1/3 of the top of the new growth is completely clear, with no yellow at all. I'm going to continue to take the medication for at least a few more months (partially because my toes are also infected and they are not quite as far along the recovery path), but I am so thrilled that my fingernails don't look scary anymore and that they will hopefully be fully clear within a few months. The crappy part is insurance will only cover 90 days per every year, so most of the time I'm paying full price."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

"I lost all sense of taste at week five. Googled and found out many others have had this side effect! Takes about 3 to 6 weeks to get sense of taste back! The taste in my mouth is metallic and salty. Tongue feels funny. Stopped med today!"

• Nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2014

"I have had what I think is a minor case of nail fungus since 2010. I saw a doctor and was given Lamisil pulse therapy with no luck. Later, the biopsy I requested came back clear. One dermatologist said it was a zinc issue after running tests. Still no change in nails after zinc tablets. Another dermatologist said my toes were fine (even though they looked so chalky) but gave me a cream for my pinky fingernail that had white discoloration at the top and a red color from the middle to top of the nail. No improvement. I finally just saw a podiatrist who didn't do a biopsy but assured me it's fungus. One month, and I think there's clear nail growth taking over. I've been thirsty and a little itchy on my legs, but that's the only complaint so far."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2018

"Stopped medication yesterday. I had taken it for 37 days. It had started to help my fingernail and toenail, but the side effects were unbearable and are still bothering me. I had severe anxiety the day before yesterday, sleep problems for several nights in a row, my joints hurt, the gland on the right side of my neck hurts, I itch. I hope the side effects will go away. I've called the doctor, but he hasn't gotten back to me. If I don't feel better over the Labor Day weekend, I may go to the ER..."

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2015

"I am a healthy 26-year-old female, as I mentioned earlier. I mistakenly said toe, but it is nail fungus on my thumb (only one). Now I'm on my last lot this month, a few days to finish. A healthy nail has already grown 80%. I'm hoping the medication will work for a few months after I stop taking it. Now my confidence in using my thumb nail is boosted. I have been trying different topical creams, including tea tree oil. None of them worked except this. I am praying to end this medication with no liver damage, even though I'm already a Hep B chronic carrier. I learned a lot about the medication by reading user comments, and I hope this review helps someone too!!!"

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2019

"I spent about 18 months trying all kinds of OTC or natural cures for my 3 fingernails infected with fungus. I didn't go to the doctor because I read the side effects from medication would be so horrible. Then one day I saw the fungus had spread to a 4th nail. This got me off my butt, and I visited my dermatologist. He prescribed terbinafine for 6 weeks, and I determined to just push through the side effects. Yes, I experienced several, especially fatigue, gassy stomach, headaches, and metallic taste. But now, after 4 weeks, my healthy nails are growing in great and look so nice. I have 2 more weeks on the pills, and I'm excited to almost be done! My dermo also prescribed generic Penlac nail lacquer, which is easy to use and might add a little strength to the program."

• Rel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2017

"I had a two-month prescription for terbinafine because of severe athlete's foot. I had thick, blackened toenails, rough peeling skin, and had tried OTCs and home remedies with little to no effect. Once I started this prescription, I did notice it affected my sense of taste, but I continued taking it. I skipped a month and noticed weeks later that my toenails were almost completely clear. I recently went to get the last refill to ensure my condition doesn't return. The only thing I notice now is that I'm sleepier than usual."

• Doo...
• August 31, 2010

"32-year-old male with nail fungus on left thumbnail. 4 years ago, I closed my thumb in my car door at the center of my nail. The nail never healed right, and fungus set in within a couple of months. I got terbinafine and started on April 15th, 2010, with a 60-day prescription. I took the pill at night before bed with 3-4 glasses of water. I drank a lot of water. Never really had any side effects. After the first 30 pills, I could tell the fungus was dying. The nail was looking healthier. After the final 30 pills, it was dead. As of today, August 30th, 2010, there is no trace of the fungus on my nail. If it was on my feet, I would've never taken this medicine due to all the side effects I read about here. I also stayed away from alcohol completely, which is recommended."

• Nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

"I lost my fingernails suddenly about a year ago. I spent over half a year trying home remedies, but nothing worked. I've been taking this medication for about 5 months now, and I will tell you this - it doesn't work fast, but if you stick with it, the nausea and side effects will eventually die down, and you will eventually start growing new nails. My two worst nails (my thumbs) are still oddly shaped, but when I look back at the photo I took the first day I realized that the nails were separating from my nail bed, I can see that I've gained back quite a bit after about 5 months. I'm not sure I will ever have my beautiful nails back, but this medication has given me hope that someday (maybe years from now) I will be back to normal."

• Sli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

"I have been taking Terbinafine for 6 months and has not helped at all. My left thumb nail still looks like a kettle cooked potato chip. The three other nails are the same too, they were not as bad as the thumb nail to begin with, but still no changes. now what do I do. this stuff is not good for the liver and do NOT want to take it any longer due to no progress in helping me."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

"I used terbinafine a few years ago for my toenails. I used it for 3 months and well, it did help the growth and evened them out and all but as far as the actual fungus there is still some there but not as bad. I got another 3 months dose back in June and have taken it all for fingernail fungus. I can't tell it has helped one bit. What a disappointment for even the little price I had to pay for it. I just hope I will see better results by the end of the year."

• Mas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2016

"Fungus on my right pinky finger got really bad. I tried Nystatin and tea tree oil which did not work at all. I went to my doctor and he prescribed me Terbinafine (Lamasil) and I had to take the pills for 42 days which were really gross. I finished it off and my nail grew half way in, only for my infection to come back a week later. The medication worked but the infection came back within 7 days. Upset I have to deal with the painful mess all over again."

• Mar...
• August 7, 2018

"Started taking the pills as recommended by the doctor about 2 months ago. The first week of taking the didn't really feel any side affects but as time passed I started getting stomach aches and feeling nauseous. After two months of taking them as recommended I had to go to the emergency room for an anxiety attack which then became discomfort in my chest, hard of breathing, really bad anxiety and cold sweat feeling like a had a fever almost. Also another side affects was the dark urine and diarrhea. After leaving the emergency room they had told me that everything check out there was no issues other then the anxiety I was feeling. Honestly it has gotten my nails better but there more natural ways of taking care of fungal infections on hand snd nail and way better for you. If I would have known that ahead of time I would have never taken this medication in the first place"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2019

"It started to work. Took it for 3 months and now I’m back to square one with really painful pinky. I have had it for about 2 years now. Since 2017. I might have to start it again and take it for 6 months this time around cuz this pain is bad. I didn’t experience any side effect with this medication and I’m going for my blood work this month to make sure everything is alright with my liver!"

• me...
• January 8, 2018

"I took terbinafine for 5 days, at which time my arm and shoulder muscles hurt so much that I could hardly hold a cup of coffee. I did not take it long enough to test its effectiveness. There's no way I would take this for 6 weeks. There are worse things in life than having no fingernails."