Terbinafine and Itching: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I was prescribed Lamisil for my toenails by my doctor and it said to take it every day for three months and no alcohol. Then after one month, I started itching. Then I got a rash, but I stuck to it. Still going once a month to check my liver. I realized the rash was from the medication removing all of my fungus from my body so I endured it. The rash went away and not only that all my toenails grew out new, my skin was all around better. The warts on my fingers disappeared too. I am very pleased with this super drug. It’s been ten years now, and nothing has returned. Loved it... P.S. I don’t get dandruff anymore either. I recommend this stuff, just endure it, don’t stop or you have to begin again. Plus, no alcohol while you take it for three months."

• too...
• February 12, 2014

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have been on this medicine exactly a month. My right foot, which was affected, is having smooth skin, no itching. The nail is getting harder and better. I love the fact that when my foot touches the sheets, it is not snagging and is not itching. However, I have nausea, an upset stomach, some headaches, I feel tired, and my skin on my face is very sensitive, the slightest scratch swells it up and makes it red. I have a rash on my upper hard palate that just came on yesterday. I want to finish the course, I will have to see. I wish there was a single shot that would take care of this. Why is there such a tedious fungus that has to be eradicated in this fashion?"

• WW-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2017

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Part 2) Still frustrated by toenail fungus. In June 2017, I asked a foot doctor to prescribe generic Lamisil. Less than a week after I started taking it, I started getting fevers and chills, my urine turned dark, I had a loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and felt itchy all over. I felt terrible but hoped I could get through it by taking Advil for the fevers/chills and Benadryl for the itching. Then I got a rash on my upper body again. None of the other side effects were going away. I discontinued use. Lab work showed my liver count was high. After a few days off terbinafine, all negative side effects have stopped. I will go back for lab work again next week and expect it to show my liver function to be normal. Use caution with this drug!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2016

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Took this drug a few years ago, and it worked great. I had fungus in 3 of my toenails initially (and had it for a few years before trying this). They all cleared up after use of Lamisil for 12 weeks. I had no side effects. But, within about a year, fungus developed again on my big toe (unless it never cured?). I'm taking Lamisil again, but I'm only 4 weeks in, and I've gotten terrible headaches and pretty bad itching. I'm not sure if I will be able to go through a second round of the stuff at my 6-week check-in. I still think I'd recommend it because it did get rid of fungus on two toenails, but I'm not sure if the side effects would be too off-putting for some."

• MaN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2015

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "It took me 1.5 months to work up the courage to take Lamisil because of all the horrendous side effects I read about. I finally took it for 90 days with no horrible side effects. If I took it too close to drinking coffee or eating my beloved chocolate, it made me nauseous. So I took it right before bed. Near the end of the second month, I started itching in various places really bad. I finished treatment wondering why I was so scared. Now just waiting for slow toenails to grow out."

• Hap...
• June 30, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I have had an infection of the toenails for probably 15 years, and I'm only 25. I always wanted to wear sandals, but my toenails were half missing due to me cutting them down because they used to itch so bad. I went to the doctor for my leg, which I pulled the muscle connected to my foot, and I had socks on, but he pulled them off, I was so ashamed. He gave me the prescription for terbinafine, and the first week or so, my inner arm was itching for like a week. Then when I got my dose for the second month, my skin on the top of my feet started peeling, but on the upside of that, my feet are very soft now. :) I haven't finished all my medicine yet, but my results so far are amazing, I can't wait until I'm wearing sandals."

• the...
• July 25, 2018

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Prescribed Lamisil tablets by Dr. for fungal nail in one big toe. Told I would be tested once a month to ensure my liver is okay and would be on tablets for 6 to 9 months. First month okay, my liver is okay. Nail was getting better. Week 5 I started itching bad 24/7 all over, worst itch of my life. I would wake needing to itch dozens of times a night. I cried so much due to discomfort. I also got a bad rash from my chest down all over. Nothing was easing me. I stopped Lamisil tablets after 3 days of itch and rash. Then 4 days later, I went to Dr. as the itch was still bad. Dr. said I must be allergic to Lamisil. I was told to have a shower daily with Nizoral shampoo to help my rash and itch, but it didn’t help. Got Betnovate cream, told to use sparingly long-term. It helped rash a little. I was given 4 different allergy tablets. The only one that helped was Piriton. It took 9 weeks before my symptoms eased. The Lamisil was covered by my medical card in Ireland. But the Piriton was not. On the first day of Piriton use, it makes me sleepy."

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

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Fingernail "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!"

• Der...
• October 24, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I took terbinafine for 14 weeks. I had a right big toe infection for 6 months, which then moved to the left big toe, and I wasn’t having that. I started the medication in June 2019 and recently completed it. I lost my taste, I itched like a banshee, I got worse anxiety than usual, I had bowel issues and gas, but it is working. 2/3 of each toenail is now clear. My blood tests, which were checked twice, are fine. I would do it all again if I ever got that awful toenail infection again. It was gross. Thank you, terbinafine."

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

For Onychomycosis, Fingernail "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

For Onychomycosis, Fingernail "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..."

• Emi...
• September 5, 2015

Terbinafine for Tinea Pedis "I got athlete's foot from the shower room at camp in 2006. From then, I had it off and on for years. Finally, after years of discomfort and pain and so much itching that I would literally get open sores from it - I finally looked up the best product for athlete's foot. And in a few days, years of pain and discomfort were permanently gone! Don't ask me why I didn't try it sooner. I love this stuff. It's a little pricey but well worth it. You only need to use a small amount of product, so the tube (I bought a cream) lasts for a long time. I believe it says to use it for a week - DO SO. Similar to an antibiotic, you have to use it even after you think it's gone. I didn't, and it recurred a week later. Used it for a week, and it hasn't come back since."

• ath...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2017

Terbinafine for Tinea Pedis "I can't believe how well this medicine worked! I had athlete's foot for five years on my left foot and for six months on my right foot. My entire left foot on the bottom and sides and in between my toes itched like crazy at times. Every day, I suffered with my foot itching in the shower or whenever my foot sweated. I scratched so hard in the shower that my foot bled, and I really felt like I was suffering, and that wasn't too strong of a word. I tried a few things that I read online, and nothing helped. I finally tried Lamisil 1%, using it twice a day for six weeks and missing a few doses. Directions are for two weeks. It finally cured my athlete's foot! It's costly but worth every penny. I still use it occasionally to be on the safe side. I rate it 10!"

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I guess I am looking for advice on taking terbinafine hydrochloride. I had a toenail fungus for about 12 years on my big toe on each foot. I had used Jublia that goes on your nail each day. My toe started to itch quite badly. I started to scratch it with the other foot, it got so itchy that I rubbed it on the edge of my mattress, causing it to blister the next day. About a week later, it still continued to produce blisters in a cluster on both feet with the first two toes. I went to the doctor, who prescribed terbinafine hydrochloride, got my blood checked, everything was good to go. I also had cracking between my toes, so the terbinafine and the over-the-counter creams should have cleared it up. The athlete's foot cleared between my toes, but the first two are still leaking a clear, smelly fluid. I continue to put creams on and take the terbinafine. Has anyone gone through anything similar where nothing seems to be working? I am ready to lose it."

• Lee...
• December 23, 2015

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I was prescribed terbinafine tablets as I had tried curanail paint and the urea treatment. After about 2 weeks on the tablets, I noticed the base of my nail appeared healthy and clear, although after 4 weeks, the infection has since spread all the way to the base of my nail, so the infection is actually worse now than it was before I started taking the tablets. The doctor says I should continue the course, but I'm now on my 3rd month, and my whole nail is completely infected. I've also been getting intense itching and chest pains."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2021

Terbinafine for Tinea Cruris "I was prescribed Lamisil to use for 2 weeks to treat mild jock itch. After the first week, the symptoms got much worse (swelling, burning, itching, and spreading). The second week I started losing my taste and smell, and the symptoms did not improve at all. I started using another broad-spectrum antifungal cream, and the jock itch was completely destroyed within 3 days. I will not recommend Lamisil to anyone!"

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2010

For Tinea Corporis "I was prescribed terbinafine for a tinea versicolor rash across my back and shoulders. It wasn't very noticeable, but it irritated me in a cosmetic sense. My doctor put me on a two-month terbinafine plan. I have taken the medicine once a day orally for about three weeks. As soon as I started taking it, I felt itchy all the time and urinated more than usual. Then one Monday morning, I woke up covered in hot, itchy hives everywhere. It's been three days now, the hives are still there, my upper and lower eyelids are swollen and my hands and feet are swollen to the point of pain. I'd imagine I'm allergic."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2018

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "After 8 days, I woke up with severe itching on my scalp. The day after, I started getting a rash and welts. I stopped the med and still had to go to the ER today. So miserable, please don't take it!!!!"

• 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."

• lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2022

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "My husband took terbinafine for 3 months, then stopped 2 days prior to kidney stones lasering. The hospital informed him his blood platelets had nose-dived. They are now back up, but he has lost his taste for 5 months, still continuing! He had awful itchy skin, especially arms/legs, with slight purple circles and pinpricks on arms. His legs were extremely dry, still treating them! The toenail has cleared but definitely not worth what he's been through and still continuing (no taste). Seeing an ENT in 2 months. Only through research did he realize that this medication was the cause. His last doc said terbinafine wouldn't cause this, although we now know different. Be warned, do your research if you decide to go ahead! He took 1 tab daily for 3 months, his taste went towards the end, of course, other symptoms (above) appeared 2 months in."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2022

Terbinafine for Onychomycosis, Toenail "Terrible, after having consumed half a packet, my lips started cracking, peeling, nothing helped. My skin was itchy around the neck, waking me up at night. I suffered for about a month until I needed a repeat, and that's when I read the side effects. I blame the doctor. He should have warned me. Unfortunately, I worked it out myself after 42 tablets. I can't even imagine how my liver is. Don't take it."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2017

For Tinea Pedis "Never works for me. N.B. I am talking about the ointment. It goes on greasy, is generally a nuisance, and then over the next couple of days, the skin on top of my foot gets progressively puffier. The greasiness cannot be overstated. This makes the itching worse, and you have to wear sandals even after you've quit using it."

• Tul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2013

For Tinea Pedis "I used this on a tinea problem on my eleven-year-old. Initially, it was extremely itchy, and I thought he was just being wimpy (shame on me as a parent), as he later developed a strong case of hives on the legs, which was exacerbated by swimming at a swimming pool. A strong red rash and hives resulted, before settling. He took an antihistamine tablet, with no further problems since."

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2021

For Onychomycosis, Toenail "I was on this medication in 2014 and stopped after 3 months, with severe stomach problems and diarrhea. Advised the doctor of these issues this time around, but he still prescribed me Terbinafine 250 mg tablets. I took them for approximately 10 days and had severe itching in my urethra that made me think I had an STD. Arranged to visit a clinic, but by day 16 I broke out in a serious rash on my lower back. By day 19, this rash had rapidly spread over most of my body. Antihistamines totally useless and the itching is driving me mad. I have stopped it for 6 days, but the rash continues to spread and there is no improvement with the rash. Different types of rash and lesions too. Also felt chronically tired. No liver tests or blood tests carried out by the doctor. May have to see a dermatologist. This might be a great medicine, but if you experience side effects like mine, you'll wish you had never heard of Terbinafine. The side effects are severe and not worth it."