How to tell if terbinafine is working?

Antifungal medications are administered for the case management and treatment of infections caused by unchecked growth of fungi or yeast. Your doctor is likely to recommend such meds for candidiasis (also known as thrush), infections caused by parasites – especially, ringworm, etc. Some antifungals are available through self-medication or the OTC route. However, there are some which need prescriptions from your caregiving team. In this milieu, terbinafine is a commonly prescribed antifungal medication. Do you know how to tell if terbinafine is working? It is worth your while to have needful inputs on this.

Fungi can produce active chemicals that can be toxic to humans, animals and plants. In medical parlance, infections caused by fungi are termed as mycosis. You may get infections of three major forms – 1- superficial, 2- subcutaneous and 3- systemic infections. No two infections exhibit the same type of signs.

For instance- formation of rashes is a widely experienced symptom among people with superficial, fungal infection. On the other hand, lump below your skin’s surface is quite common among people with subcutaneous, fungal infection.

Fungi are parasitical organisms that depend on human beings, animals and plants for their sustenance and growth. There are also a few types of fungi which live on fellow-fungal organisms such as yeast. If left untreated, fungal infections can cause death. Infections of the skin are the most common problems fungi are known to trigger. You may also encounter fungi which trigger infections in nails and hair. You need to know skin infections as well as related allergic reactions are most commonly encountered.

Medications are widely used to control the growth of fungi and to terminate their existence in your system. These meds are called as antifungal or antimycotic medications.

So, what is terbinafine?

Terbinafine is a medication taken for controlling and stopping the further growth of fungal organisms. Your doctor may prescribe for a fairly large range of infections like infections of the nail, athlete’s foot and jock itch. You can terbinafine either as an ointment or as a pill (orally administered). It is a wise thing to know that the ointment form of this med may not work well to cure nail infections.

Of the many forms of fungi, terbinafine is known for its ability to control a unique genus of fungal organism known as Onygenales. Also, this med can manage infections caused by candida – another species of fungi. In general, tablets of terbinafine are administered to treat infections of nails. This is chiefly because of the nature of such infections; as these show up deeper inside your nails, use of ointment can seldom reach the infected inner parts of nails. However, pills of terbinafine may turn toxic. Owing to this, overall hepatic wellbeing is checked periodically, throughout your treatment plan.

How to tell if terbinafine is working?

Typical dosage plan lasts for a few weeks. For example, infections of fingernails may need dosages of about 7 weeks. You may see some relief in the first few weeks. However, if you do not witness any results in the first 20 days, talk to your caregiving team without any further delay.

Your doctor will tell you to take the meds without stopping. It can prove to be unsafe if meds are stopped soon after observing some remedial outcomes. Risk of relapse looms at large, and hence it is a good practice to continue with your plan. Also, be ready to go for a series of tests (especially, tests done on your blood samples).

You also need to know that this med is not an OTC drug. It is a safe thing to always take this drug as per the instructions of a qualified medical professional. It is highly recommended to speak with your treating doctor about how to tell if terbinafine is working prior to commencing your dosage plan.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.