Terbinafine: uses, appearance and warnings

Terbinafine tablets are indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Prior to initiating treatment, appropriate nail specimens for laboratory testing [potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation, fungal culture, or nail biopsy] should be obtained to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis. Terbinafine tablets are an allylamine antifungal indicated for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes (tinea unguium). ( 1 )

Tablet, 250 mg White Round, Flat, beveled edge tablets debossed with "128" on one side and "A" on other side. Tablet, 250 mg ( 3 )

Terbinafine Tablets USP, 250 mg are supplied White Round, Flat, beveled edge tablets debossed with "128" on one side and "A" on other side. Bottles of 30 tablets with child-resistant closure NDC 87564-010-30 Bottles of 100 tablets with child-resistant closure NDC 87564-010-10 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light.

Terbinafine tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Chronic or active liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] History of allergic reaction to oral terbinafine because of the risk of anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] Chronic or active liver disease. ( 4 ) History of allergic reaction to oral terbinafine because of the risk of anaphylaxis. ( 4 )

Liver failure, sometimes leading to liver transplant or death, has occurred with the use of oral terbinafine. Obtain pretreatment serum transaminases. Prior to initiating treatment and periodically during therapy, assess liver function tests. Discontinue terbinafine tablets if liver injury develops. ( 5.1 ) Taste disturbance, including taste loss, has been reported with the use of terbinafine tablets. Taste disturbance can be severe, may be prolonged, or may be permanent. Discontinue terbinafine tablets if taste disturbance occurs. ( 5.2 ) Smell disturbance, including loss of smell, has been reported with the use of terbinafine tablets. Smell disturbance may be prolonged, or may be permanent. Discontinue terbinafine tablets if smell disturbance occurs. ( 5.3 ) Depressive symptoms have been reported with terbinafine use. Prescribers should be alert to the development of depressive symptoms. ( 5.4 ) Severe neutropenia has been reported. If the neutrophil count is less than or equal to 1000 cells/mm 3 , terbinafine tablets should be discontinued. ( 5.5 ) Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous dermatitis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome have been reported with oral terbinafine use. If signs or symptoms of drug reaction occur, treatment with terbinafine tablets should be discontinued. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Hepatotoxicity Terbinafine tablets are contraindicated for patients with chronic or active liver disease. Before prescribing terbinafine tablets, perform liver function tests because hepatotoxicity may occur in patients with and without preexisting liver disease. Cases of liver failure, some leading to liver transplant or death, have occurred with the use of terbinafine tablets in individuals with and without preexisting liver disease. In the majority of liver cases reported in association with use of terbinafine tablets, the patients had serious underlying systemic conditions. The severity of hepatic events and/or their outcome may be worse in patients with active or chronic liver disease. Periodic monitoring of liver function tests is recommended. Discontinue terbinafine tablets if biochemical or clinical evidence of liver injury develops. Warn patients prescribed terbinafine tablets and/or their caregivers to report immediately to their healthcare providers any symptoms or signs of persistent nausea, anorexia, fatigue, vomiting, right upper abdominal pain or jaundice, dark urine, or pale stools. Advise patients with these symptoms to discontinue taking oral terbinafine, and immediately evaluate the patient's liver function. 5.2 Taste Disturbance Including Loss of Taste Taste disturbance, including taste loss, has been reported with the use of terbinafine tablets. It can be severe enough to result in decreased food intake, weight loss, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Taste disturbance may resolve within several weeks after discontinuation of treatment, but may be prolonged (greater than 1 year), or may be permanent. If symptoms of a taste disturbance occur, terbinafine tablets should be discontinued. 5.3 Smell Disturbance Including Loss of Smell Smell disturbance, including loss of smell, has been reported with the use of terbinafine tablets. Smell disturbance may resolve after discontinuation of treatment, but may be prolonged (greater than 1 year), or may be permanent. If symptoms of a smell disturbance occur, terbinafine tablets should be discontinued. 5.4 Depressive Symptoms Depressive symptoms have occurred during postmarketing use of terbinafine tablets. Prescribers should be alert to the development of depressive symptoms, and patients should be instructed to report depressive symptoms to their physician. 5.5 Hematologic Effects Transient decreases in absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) have been observed in controlled clinical trials. In placebo-controlled trials, 8/465 subjects receiving terbinafine tablets (1.7%) and 3/137 subjects receiving placebo (2.2%) had decreases in ALC to below 1000/mm 3 on 2 or more occasions. In patients with known or suspected immunodeficiency, physicians should consider monitoring complete blood counts if treatment continues for more than 6 weeks. Cases of severe neutropenia have been reported. These were reversible upon discontinuation of terbinafine tablets, with or without supportive therapy. If clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of secondary infection occur, a complete blood count should be obtained. If the neutrophil count is less than or equal to 1000 cells/mm 3 , terbinafine tablets should be discontinued and supportive management started. 5.6 Serious Skin/Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious skin/hypersensitivity reactions [e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous dermatitis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome]. Manifestations of DRESS syndrome may include cutaneous reaction (such as rash or exfoliative dermatitis), eosinophilia, and one or more organ complications such as hepatitis, pneumonitis, nephritis, myocarditis, and pericarditis. If progressive skin rash or signs/symptoms of the above drug reactions occur, treatment with terbinafine tablets should be discontinued. 5.7 Lupus Erythematosus During postmarketing experience, precipitation and exacerbation of cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus have been reported in patients taking terbinafine tablets. Terbinafine tablets should be discontinued in patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of lupus erythematosus. 5.8 Thrombotic Microangiopathy Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, some fatal, have been reported with terbinafine. Discontinue terbinafine if clinical symptoms and laboratory findings consistent with TMA occur. …

Common (greater than 2% of patients treated with terbinafine tablets) reported adverse events include headache, diarrhea, rash, dyspepsia, liver enzyme abnormalities, pruritus, taste disturbance, nausea, abdominal pain, and flatulence. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amerisyn, LLC at 336-907-8990 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most frequently reported adverse events observed in the 3 U.S./Canadian placebo-controlled trials are listed in the Table 1. …

Terbinafine is an inhibitor of CYP450 2D6 isozyme and has an effect on metabolism of desipramine. Drug interactions have also been noted with cimetidine, fluconazole, cyclosporine, rifampin, and caffeine. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Drug-Drug Interactions In vivo studies have shown that terbinafine is an inhibitor of the CYP450 2D6 isozyme. Drugs predominantly metabolized by the CYP450 2D6 isozyme include the following drug classes: tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics class 1C (e.g., flecainide and propafenone) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors Type B. Coadministration of terbinafine tablets should be done with careful monitoring and may require a reduction in dose of the 2D6-metabolized drug. …