Terbinafine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 196...
• March 31, 2017

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have just finished my first month of a three-month prescription, and so far, I've only noticed that my toenails have almost stopped hurting. It appears that my toenails are going to fall off. Is this normal? Are they supposed to fall off then I get new ones? Also, the only side effect I get is slight headaches... no other symptoms. I'm crossing my fingers this works! Doc said it may take another three-month treatment after this one."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2013

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I can't say the vast amount of side effects experienced by a lot of people stopped me from trying this. I wasn't aware of it, then again, it was not something I brought up with my doctor. I had really bad toenail fungus on all toes since I was 18. I am 33 now and figured I'd give it a go. The first week I had a real bad headache that would not go away, even when I took Advil. After the first week, I craved sugar like a maniac and gained 25 lbs for it. That's about it. My doctor would not prescribe me the next doses until she received my liver panel. I didn't have any serious side effects, and if I did, it wouldn't matter after I saw my clean nails in so long. They are slow to grow back once off the meds. Sorry it didn't work for some."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "Awful drug! After four days of use, I developed anxiety and depression and could not function physically. I also had multiple side effects: diarrhea, blurred vision, dizzying effects, joint pain, headache, etc. It’s been three days off the pills, and I am still feeling cruddy. Not as bad as the previous week but still very tired and anxious with headaches and foggy brain. Be very careful with this one."

• CSa...
• July 28, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "This medication is working for me, but like many who have written reviews here, I am experiencing terrible side effects. I don't know if I can hold out for the full 3-month course (I'm only on week 4). Anxiety, heart racing, dizziness, tingling, headaches, numbness in my chest, and brain fog. Thank God for this forum for letting me know that these side effects exist because I almost went to the ER thinking I was experiencing a heart attack. I also didn't know that it makes you more sensitive to caffeine, so I will watch how much coffee, tea, Coke, etc., that I am drinking. My toenail is mostly grown out after only 4 weeks, but I've read so many stories about it coming back that I'm worried about stopping."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "When I was first prescribed these tablets, I was in 2 minds, especially after reading some pretty grim reviews, but I thought I’d give them a try and hope for the best since I had 7 nails infected and I had a rash and cracked skin on both feet. 3 months later, and the infection has nearly grown out of all of the nails, and apart from a few headaches at the beginning and end of treatment, I had no other side effects."

• Att...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I took terbinafine, which was prescribed for 90 days orally. I took it optimistically after reading all the horrible reviews online to find out I would only have the same problem. Day one, it was bearable: salty taste, mild headache, mild nausea. Day two, a little bit worse, accompanied by cramps. Day three, I missed work, woke up with a migraine that would not subside and nausea. Day four, it was unbearable: migraine, fever, chills, throwing up. I felt as if I had the flu. I called my prescribing doctor, who instructed me to go to the ER. This is a nasty, nasty medication."

• viv...
• October 16, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "Taken this for two months and now had to stop due to increasingly severe pressure headaches and then nosebleeds. After a couple of days, both have stopped. Going back to docs to see what alternative treatments are available."

• McC...
• January 11, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "My fungal nail was not responding to treatment to paint the nail, so the doctor prescribed Terbinafine tablets. After 3 days of taking the tablets, I developed flu-like symptoms, which worsened over the next few days into constant headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, excessive saliva production, feelings of nausea, and general lethargy, to the extent that I was unable to sleep and had to take time off work. Stopped the tablets immediately - fixing a toenail is not worth feeling this awful. Seeking other treatments now."

• MGH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2022

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Two days after starting the first dose, I developed the worst headache of my life, followed by diarrhea, then bloating, very gassy, and nausea. I immediately quit the medication, but bloating on an empty stomach, shortness of breath, and itching has lasted. It is now a week after I quit the medication. I can’t give a -100, but I wish I could. This drug is not worth the risk."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2021

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I'm a 19-year-old female, and I have been on this drug for mild toenail fungus for 3 days. I’m on a dose for only 45 days because of how mild the fungus is. I have already experienced nausea, rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, sore throat, headache, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vaginal bleeding. I called my doctor and left a message at the nurses' station explaining my symptoms. Haven’t heard anything back, so I am going to stop taking this medication until they get back to me. I feel like this many side effects are not worth it. I don’t know what else to use. Not a good experience right away."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

"I recently started using this medication prescribed to me by my doctor, and the first week of taking it was not so bad, but I did have a headache, nausea, and leg aches. After the first week, I felt great, and I'm already seeing results. I'm so happy with this medication. I love it!"

• LRa...
• April 26, 2019

For Tinea Pedis "My podiatrist prescribed me generic terbinafine and to take it in pulses of one week on, one week off, and so on. Well, I finished week one and was fine, just some headache and sore throat. But during my week off, I came up with a fever, and sore throat got worse. I slept it off and felt fine the next day. I told my podiatrist, and he recommended I stop taking it. I was glad to stop, but I notice new nail growing in. I wish I could continue treatment since I have been dealing with toenail fungus for 25+ years. Has anyone taken it once a week instead of every day? I’m thinking about just taking one pill a week."

• HTa...
• January 4, 2021

For Tinea Pedis "So far, my experience with terbinafine has been a love/intense dislike type thing. I was initially prescribed it because of severe athlete's feet for 2 weeks. I went back to the doctor's office for a checkup, and he prescribed it again. The first 2 weeks, everything was fine. I'm in the 2nd week of the re-prescription, and the side effects are a mess. I've been having mild headaches, occasional liver pain, and occasional bloating. None of the side effects are just horrendous, but I feel as if I need to discontinue the medicine before it gets bad. Meanwhile, my feet have been getting better, and the fungus is 95% healed."

• scc...
• December 12, 2020

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I've been taking terbinafine for 7 days now, and it has been awful. I am breaking out in a super bad rash and hives, and I also have headaches along with loss of appetite. I have the rash/hives on my arm constantly all day, and allergy medicine is not helping very well. Half of the top part of my toenail has started to fall off, but the bottom of my nail is showing some improvement."

• lyn...
• July 24, 2013

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "Took this medication for eight weeks, had horrible side effects, loss of taste, smell, and metal taste. Headaches and stomach upset."