Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Lamisil

These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Lamisil - treatment for jock itch [posted 1/12/99]
Question: I've read on your site that Lamisil is frequently prescribed for toenail fungus, but has it been shown to be effective as a cure for Jock Itch?

Answer: Yes, but it's like using a sledge hammer for a fly.

Lamisil and loss of senses [posted 1/8/99]
Question: I have taken lamisil 250 mg per day for 40 days. I have lost my sense of smell mostly and I have no sense of taste. My doctor checked liver and my blood work up checked out negative. My doctor put me on amoxcillin 1500 mg per day to try and clear up possible sinus infection and he said it was the easiest thing to try first. If the lamisil caused this, how long would you guess it would take to wear off?

Answer: Well if it is the lamisil, stop it for a month and see.

Lamisil - Oral use during pregnancy [posted 1/5/99]
Question: The references I found list the drug as a Pregnancy Risk Category B, which to me indicates minimal risk. Your response of "absolutely not" leads me to believe that there is more than minimal risk. Could you expand on potential risks? What frequency rates, etc. Also, do you have any references/sources of research findings/clinical trials you could share so I could research this topic further. Thank you very much for your time, this information will be extremely important to me.

Answer: Although Lamisil is a class B drug, treatment for a fungal toenail infection would not be worth the risk to the fetus. This type of infection is easily treated post-pregnancy and will not lead to systemic fungal infection or any other complications at all other than an ugly nail. I don't think this is worth any risk, however, small to your child. Get yourself treated after the pregnancy.

Lamisil and loss of taste [posted 1/5/99]
Question: I have been taking Lamisil for over 2 months and suddenly lost some of my sense of taste. Sweet items have virtually no taste for me at this time. Could this be a side effect of Lamisil? I know liver problems can contribute to loss of taste.

Answer: Certainly possible, have you had regular liver function tests? You might stop the medication for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

Possible Lamisil Allergy [posted 11/11/98]
Question: I have been on Lamisil for 3 weeks and yesterday I broke out all over with hives. Could this be from the Lamisil? I have had hives before but just in 1 or 2 areas of my body.

Answer: Maybe, get your liver functions tested and stop the lamisil. Check with your doctor.

Lamisil & Pregnancy [posted 11/3/98]
Question: Is it safe for a pregnant woman to take Lamisil 250mg 1 tab/day to treat a toenail fungal infection, especially during the first trimester of pregancy?

Answer: Absolutely not.

Lamisil & White Blood Count [posted 10/6/98]
Question: My husband was given a 3 month supply of Lamisil without any monitoring of his liver or blood functions during this period. Before taking the drug, his white blood count was in the low-normal range. When he went for his annual check-up, it was found that his white blood count had dropped from 3800 to 2000. He has been having neutropenia since then and it has been over a year. I know that neutropenia or leucopenia is one of the possible side of this drug. How can I post this information in order to see if this has happened to other people taking Lamisil? Thank you

Answer; I would have your doctor turn in and adverse drug reaction form with the FDA. Also, check with the medical department of the manufacturer, Novartis 888-669-6682.

Lamisil & Gout [posted 10/6/98]
Question: Are there any problems with taking lamisil while also taking gout medication? Is gout exacerbated by lamisil? It would seem so in my case.

Answer; No obvious interaction causing gout that is. Which gout medications are you referring to?

Lamisil [posted 8/11/98]
Question: Is there any research on how Lamisil effects oral contraception?

Answer: Check with the scientific department of Novartis: 888-669-6682. I'm not aware of specific studies.

Lamisil - Severe Side Effect [posted 8/5/98]
Question: My husband took Lamisil tablets for toe fungus. He took the 80 tablets, which were prescribed by his doctor and it had terrible side effects on him. His skin starting turning black and looked like alligator skin. We did not know what was causing this, but it started happening almost as soon as he started taking it and his skin got so black it was starting to get on his face. After he had stopped taking the Lamisil it took quite some time for his skin to get back to normal, the dark skin just started rolling off of him until it got back to normal. He was also sick after he started taking the Lamisil tablets. I would be afraid for any of my family or myself to ever take this medication again. I think this medication should be tested further for more side effects than was listed.

Answer: This can be a fairly toxic drug if not monitored correctly. I personally think too many physicians treat fungal infections that are of no concern whatsoever - compared to the potential toxicity.

Rash, Lipitor and Lamisil
Question: I have been taking both Lipitor and Lamisil for 3 and one half weeks. I developed a rash that forms scratch marks and red streaks and then an itchy rash that disappears in about 30 minutes only to reappear later. I discontinued the Lamisil after the doctor visit a week ago, but I still have the condition. Could I be having a reaction to the Lipitor?

Answer: Hard to know, both of these drugs potentially affect the liver. Have you had liver function tests? I'd stop both, and restart the lipitor after the problem is completely gone a month or so. If it goes then assume it is the lamisil or the interaction of the two.

Lamisil
Question: What are the side effects of lamisil? Is it safe?

Answer: Lamisil(terbinafine) is an antifungal drug used mainly to treat infections in the nails. It potentially has liver toxicity and liver function tests should be followed closely. Other potential side effects include nausea, rash, and flatulence. In general, it is well tolerated except for potential liver toxicity.

Lamisil
Question: What is a possible reaction to using 250 mg Lamisil once per day and the ingestion of alcohol?

Answer: Potential liver toxicity.

Lamisil
Question: Is there any over the counter medication similar to Lamisil?

Answer: Lamisil is a antifungal cream and is fairly potent. You can buy antifungal preparations over the counter which are not as potent, but will usually work over time. Tinactin, NP 27, etc., are all effective with longer use.

Lamisil and Drinking
Question: How long must I wait before drinking alcohol if I take 1 250 mg tablet a day?

Answer: There is no absolute contraindication to combining Lamisil and Alcohol. Lamisil can potentially affect the liver and so can alcohol. The combination is not a good idea;but, checking liver functions are regularly checked(and intake moderate) this is probably OK.



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