The pharmaceutical drug "Terbinafine" has an effective anti-inflammatory effect for lichen. It prevents the further spread of pathogenic microorganisms and perfectly relieves itching from the skin. Terbinafine is a new generation medicine that fights fungal infections of various etiologies. The correct use of the medication in question for the treatment of lichen should be checked with a qualified physician.
Causes of lichen
Ringworm, or microsporia, occurs due to infection with a fungus. But this is facilitated by several factors that make the body especially vulnerable to infection.
Play a big role:
- Weakened immunity.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Chemotherapy.
- Burns.
- Unfavorable environment.
Very often, lichen affects people who are socially disadvantaged, abuse alcohol, or neglect basic rules of personal hygiene. However, more often the victims of the disease are those with thin, dry skin, as well as anyone who has a genetic predisposition (relatives suffered from deprivation). But the symptoms of the disease are the same in any case.
Symptoms of the disease
It is very easy to recognize lichen - spots appear on the body that itch and itch unbearably. They can appear separately, or in “groups”, look like reddish plaques or whole “garlands”.
What fungi does the drug kill?
The drug is a thick, white ointment with a faint “medicinal” odor. It is usually available in tubes of 15, 30 g, the concentration of the active substance usually does not exceed 1%.
Terbinafine copes with a whole group of pathogenic fungi, very effectively coping with such microorganisms as:
- Dermatophytes.
- Mold fungi.
- Yeast fungi.
- Selected species of dimorphic fungi.
In addition to the main active ingredient, the ointment contains alcohol, cellulose, lactose, paraffin and other chemical components. In addition to ointments, you can find tablets, sprays on sale, the substance is found in creams, suspensions and solutions. It must be remembered that the doctor will use the appropriate form, sometimes combining medications, for the complex treatment of lichen and other skin diseases.
How does the ointment work?
The main active substance of the drug is trebinafin, which is a derivative of allylamine. The substance kills pathogenic fungi by blocking the enzyme, the main building material of cell membranes. The medicine penetrates deep into the cells, destroying the action of pathogenic fungi, which leads to their death. As a result, several results are achieved at once:
- Inflammation is relieved.
- The itching goes away.
- The further spread of fungi and pathogens is stopped.
Reviews from patients indicate that improvement occurs after the first use of the ointment: the desire to scratch passes, the skin gradually recovers and recovers.
Attention! Only a doctor should prescribe the ointment, just like any other form of the drug: and self-medication is strictly prohibited. Before prescribing a medicine, any doctor establishes the nature of the disease: only then does treatment for lichen become effective.
Reviews of Terbinafine-MFF
Reviews about Terbinafine-MFF are mostly positive. Patients consider both forms of the drug to be effective antifungal agents. Separately, the budget cost and availability of the drug in pharmacies are noted. However, in some cases, it is possible to achieve the desired result only with the combined use of both dosage forms of the drug. When treating mycosis of the feet, only ointment for external use is often also successfully used.
The disadvantages of the drug include the need for long-term treatment, in particular for onychomycosis - up to 3 months, as well as the presence of contraindications and the possible occurrence of undesirable effects.
Indications for use
Terbinafine is prescribed for the treatment of:
- Nail fungus (onychomycosis).
- Severe lesions of the epithelium of the trunk and limbs (athlete's foot, dermatomycosis).
- Fungal pathologies of human hair (trichophytosis, microsporia).
- Candidiasis of the skin, mucous membranes.
However, the ointment is not prescribed for the treatment of certain types of lichen, in particular, multicolored lichen caused by fungi of the Malassizia Furfur group, due to the fact that the medicine does not work effectively against these pathogens.
Contraindications
There are diagnoses when dermatologists do not prescribe treatment with Terbinafine. The medicine should also not be prescribed to children under 3 years of age.
The reasons for the ban are:
- Inflammatory, chronic liver diseases.
- Kidney failure.
- Pregnancy, lactation period.
- Individual intolerance to individual components of the drug, in particular lactose.
- Weight less than 20 kg.
- Allergy.
Relative contraindications include alcohol dependence, lupus erythematosus, as well as any suspicion of benign or malignant tumors. Terbinafine therapy is postponed until the full picture of the health status of the patient with lichen is clarified.
special instructions
Pills
Concomitant diseases and the condition of the nails at the beginning of the course for onychomycosis may affect the duration of treatment.
Systemic use of Terbinafine-MFF for onychomycosis is permissible only against the background of total damage to the majority of the nail plates, severe subungual hyperkeratosis, or in the absence of the effect of previous local treatment.
Complete elimination of clinical manifestations of infection, confirmed by laboratory, during treatment of onychomycosis is usually observed several months after mycological cure and completion of the course of treatment, which is associated with the rate of regrowth of a healthy nail. When treating onychomycosis of the hands for 3 weeks and feet for 6 weeks, it is not necessary to remove the nail plates.
During the period of use of Terbinafine-MFF, serum levels of hepatic transaminases in the blood should be monitored. After 3 months of use, rare cases of cholestasis and hepatitis were recorded. If signs of liver dysfunction occur, such as loss of appetite, weakness, persistent nausea, severe abdominal pain, dark urine, discolored stool, jaundice, the drug must be discontinued.
Patients with psoriasis should use the antifungal agent with caution, as there are reports of extremely rare cases of exacerbation of psoriasis caused by terbinafine.
During therapy with Terbinafine-MFF, general hygiene rules must be observed to prevent reinfection through underwear and shoes. 2 weeks after the start of the course and at the end of it, it is necessary to perform antifungal treatment of shoes, stockings and socks.
Ointment
Terbinafine-MFF ointment is intended for external use only.
You must be careful not to get the ointment into your eyes, as it can cause irritation. If this still cannot be avoided, you should immediately rinse your eyes with running water, and if persistent manifestations of irritation occur, consult a specialist.
If allergic reactions develop during treatment, you must stop using the product.
When is it important to stop using
When should you stop taking the medicine? Doctors advise paying attention to any changes in the body during ointment therapy.
Unambiguous stop signals should be:
- Loss of appetite.
- Yellow color of the skin.
- Weakness.
- Nausea.
- Change in color of stool to the lightest color, and urine to a rich yellow tint.
In general, doctors rarely record side effects, but listening to the body is very important in any case.
Side effects
When using the described medication, the following negative phenomena may develop:
- painful sensations in muscles and joints;
- decreased appetite;
- bowel dysfunction;
- headache;
- increased fatigue;
- changes in taste buds;
- exacerbation of psoriasis;
- irritation, burning, redness of the skin.
Adverse symptoms may intensify if you take the medicine significantly in excess of the dose prescribed by your doctor.
Terms of use
Terbinafine deprivation ointment should be applied to dry and clean skin. Typically, dermatologists consider it sufficient to apply the drug twice a day, although it all depends on the form, stage, and nature of the disease. The standard course of treatment for lichen lasts 7-14 days. It is very important to monitor the hygiene of clothes, towels, and bed linen - this will avoid re-infection with lichen.
The drug cannot be combined with antidepressants, drugs that suppress a person’s mental activity. The ointment is used with caution in combination with some birth control pills: accumulating in the body and interacting with each other, the drugs can cause menstrual irregularities. But the justification for using the drug should always be discussed separately with the doctor.
Terbinafine-MFF, instructions for use: method and dosage
Pills
Terbinafine-MFF tablets are taken orally after meals once a day.
The duration of therapy and dosage regimen are determined for each patient individually, depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the fungal infection. The daily dose for adults is usually 250 mg.
Recommended duration of treatment in adults:
- fungal infections of the skin: for interdigital, plantar or “sock” localization of infection – 2–6 weeks; for mycoses of the legs or torso, mycoses caused by fungi of the genus Candida – 2–4 weeks;
- onychomycosis: on average from 6 to 12 weeks; in young patients or in cases of damage to fingernails, toenails (except the big toe), the course may be less than 12 weeks; for big toe infection - usually 3 months, however, if the rate of nail growth is reduced, longer therapy may be necessary;
- mycoses of the scalp caused by Microsporum – over 4 weeks.
The daily dose of Terbinafine-MFF for children with a body weight of 20–40 kg is 125 mg, for children weighing over 40 kg – 250 mg, the frequency of administration is 1 time per day. The duration of therapy for mycoses of the scalp in children is approximately 4 weeks; if Microsporum canis is affected, a longer course is possible.
In the presence of liver and/or renal failure, the drug is taken at a dose of 125 mg 1 time per day.
Ointment
Terbinafine-MFF ointment is used externally. Before applying the drug, it is necessary to clean and dry the infected areas of the skin. It is recommended to apply the ointment 1-2 times a day in a thin layer, lightly rubbing, onto problem areas and adjacent areas of the skin. When treating areas between the fingers, under the mammary glands, in the groin area, between the buttocks with the drug (for lesions accompanied by diaper rash), it is allowed to cover the application site with gauze, especially at night.
Recommended course of therapy and frequency of use in adolescents over 12 years of age and adults:
- dermatomycosis of the legs, feet, torso – 1 week, 1 time per day;
- lichen versicolor: 2 weeks 1-2 times a day;
- skin candidiasis: 1–2 weeks, 1–2 times a day.
The severity of clinical manifestations of the disease usually decreases in the first days of the course.
If treatment with the drug is carried out irregularly or is discontinued prematurely, the risk of relapse of the infectious disease increases. If after 2 weeks of therapy with Terbinafine-MFF there is no improvement in the condition, the causative agent of the disease and the degree of its sensitivity to the drug should be re-established.
Analogues of the drug
Terbinafine is also available under other names. Pharmacies offer similar drugs - Lamisil, Terbix and Terbinox. The main difference between the ointment is the price: this drug is considered the most affordable.
Like any medicine, the ointment should be stored in a dry, cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. It is best to store the ointment in the refrigerator, but it is important to ensure that it is out of the reach of children.
Do not forget! Buying an ointment yourself and using it at your own discretion can be fraught with unpleasant consequences: an incorrectly selected drug can greatly aggravate the disease and it will take more time and money to get rid of it. Contact a dermatologist and find health within a couple of weeks after the first symptoms.
Substitutes
When it is not possible to use the pharmaceutical drug Terbinafine for treatment of deprivation, the doctor will prescribe a drug with a similar active ingredient. It can be replaced by one of the following medications: Termicon, Lamisil, Terbix, Fungoterbin, Hexal, Mikonorm, Exifin or Lamitel.
The name “lichen” combines a number of dermatological diseases with different etiologies. Some of them are caused by viruses, immune system failure, stress - they are not contagious. Others are caused by microscopic fungi that are transmitted to healthy people. It is impossible to get rid of this pathology on your own - before treating lichen , it is important to identify the causative agent of the disease.
