Terbin 250 mg Tablet

Terbin 250 mg tablet by Opsonin Pharma Limited contains terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal medicine. It is used to treat fungal infections of the skin, scalp and nails, such as ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch and fungal nail infections.

Terbinafine works by blocking an enzyme (squalene epoxidase) that fungi need to make ergosterol, a vital part of their cell membrane. This causes a toxic substance to build up inside the fungal cell and stops the membrane forming properly, killing the fungus. Because nails and deep skin clear slowly, terbinafine is often taken for several weeks or months.

Terbinafine is prescribed for fungal infections caused by sensitive fungi, including:

• Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) of the toenails and fingernails
• Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) and groin (tinea cruris / jock itch)
• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
• Fungal scalp infections (tinea capitis), particularly in children, under specialist care

Tablets are used for more extensive, stubborn or nail and scalp infections. Your doctor decides whether oral terbinafine is right for you.

The dose and length of Terbin depend on the type and site of infection. The information below is a general guide only.

• Adults: the tablet is usually taken once daily. Skin infections often need 2 to 6 weeks, fingernail infections about 6 weeks, and toenail infections often 12 weeks or longer.
• Children: the dose is based on body weight and must be set by a doctor.

Take Terbin with or without food, at about the same time each day. Complete the full course even though the nail or skin may look better long before the fungus is fully cleared.

Terbinafine is usually well tolerated, but side effects can include:

• Common: stomach upset, nausea, mild abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and a temporary loss or change of taste or smell
• Less common: skin rash, itching and joint or muscle aches
• Serious (seek urgent help): yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent nausea (possible liver problem); severe skin rash or peeling; or signs of a serious allergic reaction

Loss of taste usually returns after stopping. Report any sign of liver trouble or a severe rash to your doctor at once.

Terbinafine should be used on a doctor's advice, not as casual self-medication. Do not share it or use leftover tablets for a new problem, and have skin or nail infections properly diagnosed first, as not every rash is fungal.

• Complete the full course — often several weeks to months. Stopping early is a common reason the infection returns, and incomplete or misused antifungals can encourage drug-resistant fungal infections, a growing concern in Bangladesh.
• Liver caution: terbinafine can rarely affect the liver. Tell your doctor about any liver disease; blood tests may be advised, and report yellowing skin, dark urine or persistent nausea.
• Mention any kidney problems, lupus or taste disturbance.

Tell your doctor about all your medicines and supplements. Terbinafine can interact with:

• Tricyclic antidepressants, some beta-blockers and antiarrhythmics (drugs broken down by the enzyme CYP2D6) — their levels may rise
• Certain antidepressants (SSRIs) and antipsychotics
• Rifampicin — lowers terbinafine levels; cimetidine — raises them
• Caffeine — its effect may be increased

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicine while taking terbinafine.

Do not take Terbinafine if you:

• Are allergic to terbinafine
• Have active or chronic liver disease
• Have severe kidney impairment (unless a doctor specifically advises it)

Use with caution if you have psoriasis, lupus or a history of liver or kidney problems. Always share your full medical history before starting oral terbinafine.

Oral terbinafine is generally not recommended during pregnancy, because fungal nail and skin infections are not dangerous and treatment can safely wait until after delivery. It should only be considered if a doctor judges it truly necessary.

Terbinafine passes into breast milk, so it is not recommended while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before taking Terbin; usually treatment is simply postponed or a topical option is used.

Store Terbin in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture.

• Keep tablets in their original blister pack.
• Keep the medicine dry, as the tablets are sensitive to moisture.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.