NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Terbinafine

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

An allylamine antifungal that is the treatment of choice for dermatophyte infections (onychomycosis, tinea capitis). Highly effective against Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species. Oral terbinafine is the most effective treatment for toenail onychomycosis with cure rates of 70-80%. Also available topically for tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and tinea cruris.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2011–2025
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

An allylamine antifungal that is the treatment of choice for dermatophyte infections (onychomycosis, tinea capitis). NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 250 mg once daily; toenail onychomycosis: 12 weeks; fingernail onychomycosis: 6 weeks; tinea capitis: 4-6 weeks (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • First-line treatment for toenail onychomycosis4,6
  • Treats fingernail onychomycosis4,6
  • Treats tinea capitis (oral)5,6
  • High cure rates for dermatophyte infections (70-80%)7
  • Once-daily dosing for defined treatment courses
What to watch for
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia and abdominal pain
  • Known hypersensitivity to terbinafine1,2
  • Active or chronic liver disease3

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: first-line treatment for toenail onychomycosis, treats fingernail onychomycosis, treats tinea capitis (oral). 10 sources indexed (2011–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Inhibits squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in the fungal ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. This enzyme converts squalene to squalene-2,3-epoxide, an early step in ergosterol synthesis. Inhibition leads to squalene accumulation (which is directly toxic to fungal cells) and ergosterol depletion (which destabilizes the cell membrane). The dual mechanism makes terbinafine fungicidal against dermatophytes, unlike azoles which are primarily fungistatic.

Class
Allylamine Antifungal
Absorption
Fat-soluble; take with food
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
250 mg once daily; toenail onychomycosis: 12 weeks; fingernail onychomycosis: 6 weeks; tinea capitis: 4-6 weeks (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Oral tablets; also available as topical cream, gel, or spray

Well absorbed orally (>70% bioavailability). Food slightly increases absorption but not clinically significant. Highly lipophilic, concentrates in skin, nails, and adipose tissue. Persists in nail tissue for months after discontinuation.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia and abdominal pain
  • Taste disturbance or loss (dysgeusia/ageusia)
  • Elevated liver enzymes (hepatotoxicity, including rare liver failure)
  • Skin rash
  • Neutropenia (rare)
  • Lupus-like reaction (very rare)

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to terbinafine1,2
  • Active or chronic liver disease3
  • Severe renal impairment (CrCl <50 mL/min, limited data)3
  • Concomitant use with drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 with narrow therapeutic indices
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

5

Reference material

5
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Terbinafine, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Terbinafine?

An allylamine antifungal that is the treatment of choice for dermatophyte infections (onychomycosis, tinea capitis). Highly effective against Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species. Oral terbinafine is the most effective treatment for toenail onychomycosis with cure rates of 70-80%. Also available topically for tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and tinea cruris.

What is Terbinafine used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Terbinafine include: First-line treatment for toenail onychomycosis; Treats fingernail onychomycosis; Treats tinea capitis (oral); High cure rates for dermatophyte infections (70-80%); Once-daily dosing for defined treatment courses. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Terbinafine?

A typical adult dose of Terbinafine is 250 mg once daily; toenail onychomycosis: 12 weeks; fingernail onychomycosis: 6 weeks; tinea capitis: 4-6 weeks (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablets; also available as topical cream, gel, or spray. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Terbinafine?

Reported side effects include headache, diarrhea, dyspepsia and abdominal pain, taste disturbance or loss (dysgeusia/ageusia), elevated liver enzymes (hepatotoxicity, including rare liver failure), skin rash. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Terbinafine?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Terbinafine in NutriStack.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.