Proper Use of This Medicine

Terbinafine may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up or you begin to feel better after a few days. Since fungus infections may be very slow to clear up, you may need to take this medicine for several weeks or months. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses . Also, it is best to take the doses at the same times every day . If you need help in planning the best time to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing—The dose of terbinafine may be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of terbinafine. Your dose may be different if you have kidney or liver disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the length of time you take the medicine depends on the medical problem for which you are taking terbinafine .

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For onychomycosis (fungus infections of the fingernails or toenails):
    • Adults and teenagers—250 milligrams (mg) once a day for six to twelve weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For tinea corporis (ringworm of the body):
    • Adults and teenagers—250 mg once a day for two to four weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin; jock itch):
    • Adults and teenagers—250 mg once a day for two to four weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For tinea pedis (ringworm of the foot; athlete's foot):
    • Adults and teenagers—250 mg once a day for two to six weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.