Terbinafine is drug used to treat fungal infections. Since this drug can put stress on the liver, combining terbinafine and alcohol is not recommended. The combination can be especially problematic for people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, and those who have existing liver problems.
The drug is commonly used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails, toenails and the scalp. It is also used to treat fungus that occurs on other parts of the body, such as the groin and feet. The medication is typically given in either tablet or granulated form. Terbinafine must usually be taken for at least three or four weeks before any results are seen. In some cases it may take months before patients notice relief from symptoms.
The initial length of treatment with terbinafine varies, depending on the condition being treated. The usual daily dosage for adults and for children over 75 pounds (35 kg) is 250 mg once a day. Conditions such as fungal infections of the fingernails or scalp require treatment for six weeks. If the fungus is in the toenails, treatment time is doubled to 12 weeks. Some conditions, such as fungus of the foot or ringworm infections may require as little as two weeks of treatment.
A person who chooses the combine terbinafine and alcohol may be at risk for a variety of liver problems, including the possibility of complete liver failure. Symptoms that may require emergency treatment include pale stools, stomach pain, very dark urine or yellowish skin and eyes. It is important to seek medical help immediately if any of these symptoms occur. The physician should be advised that the patient has consumed a combination of terbinafine and alcohol.
For persons who struggle with depression, taking terbinafine with alcohol may compound those feelings. Sadness, mood changes and generalized feelings of unhappiness can all be side effects of this drug. In many people drinking alcohol can cause similar problems. Taken together the two things may result in a person feeling overwhelmed by feelings of unhappiness and despair.
Terbinafine is potentially toxic to the liver, so tests to check the patient’s liver function are usually given periodically during the treatment period. The drug itself poses enough of a risk that very few doctors will allow a patient to take this medicine without a complete liver check prior to treatment. If the patient combines terbinafine and alcohol, the results can be deadly.
A History of Terbinafine
Fungal infections have been around since the beginning of humanity, but it wasn't until 1991 that the medication terbinafine was created to treat various fungal skin infections.
Europe was the first to see terbinafine in 1991, but the medication didn't arrive in the United States until 1996.
Adults began using this medication for fungal infections in the late 1990s. Still, in the United States, it wasn't until 2007 that the FDA approved the drug for children as young as four, even though fungal infections are prevalent in kids.
Other Things to Avoid While Taking Terbinafine
While people without lupus or liver disease can drink in small quantities while taking terbinafine, it's still recommended that patients avoid it to prevent liver damage. Besides alcohol, there are other things patients should avoid or avoid in excess for the duration they’re on the medication, including:
- Soda
- Coffee
- Tea
- Energy drinks
- Other forms of caffeine
- Prolonged sunlight
Anything with caffeine can also pose a risk to the liver while on terbinafine. While it shouldn't be a massive issue in low quantities, it's best to be aware of its potential effects on the human body.
While everyone should be wearing sunscreen while in the sun, taking this medication requires even more careful consideration. Terbinafine can cause the skin to burn more quickly, so patients should either avoid prolonged exposure or reapply sunscreen more often than they usually would.
Potential Side Effects of Terbinafine
While the risk of depression and unhappy feelings being amplified and the risk of sustaining liver damage when drinking alcohol on terbinafine have already been discussed, there are other side effects patients should be aware of when they start this medication. Many of these are rare but still worth noting:
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Flu-like symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Dry mouth
- Coughing
Most people who take terbinafine won't experience any of these side effects. Still, if they do occur, patients need to reach out to their doctor immediately and stop taking the medication to prevent further health issues.
Can Alcohol Cause Fungal Infections?
Evidence shows that drinking alcohol can cause bacteria and fungus to grow faster in the gut. So while people don't take terbinafine to treat an overgrowth of fungi in the stomach, it's interesting to know alcohol's relationship to fungus, because this drug treats fungus.
Because most people take terbinafine for toenail fungal infections or prolonged ringworm, alcohol can cause the current condition to last longer than it would without it. If patients continue to drink in excess while taking terbinafine to treat ringworm, it can take longer to heal, and it may even flare up. Ringworm flare-ups due to alcohol are rare, but they can happen.
Can Terbinafine Be Combined With Other Medications?
When starting a new medication, ensuring it's safe to take with any other medicines a patient may be taking is essential to their health and well-being. Of course, it's always best to consult a physician, but here are some of the most common medications people take and whether terbinafine will cause problems when combining them.
Birth Control
Patients on a birth control pill (progestogen-only or combined hormone) shouldn't have any issues taking terbinafine for their fungal infection. No specific drug interactions make the pill or terbinafine less effective. Still, if terbinafine causes patients to have diarrhea or vomiting and the contraceptive pill hasn't had time to digest, the medication can cause the pill to fail.
For those consuming alcohol while taking terbinafine, drinking too much or on an empty stomach can cause vomiting and make their birth control fail. These patients will need to consider other forms of birth control.
Warfarin
Warfarin or other blood thinners cause patients to bleed more easily. Taking terbinafine can increase the likelihood of bleeding if patients cut themselves, and adding alcohol to the mix makes this much more likely. Therefore, it's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking terbinafine, especially if patients take it with warfarin.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers for high blood pressure must be considered when taking terbinafine and consuming alcohol. Alcohol raises blood pressure, and terbinafine can also increase blood pressure. So if patients on beta-blockers need to take terbinafine, it's more important than ever to limit or altogether avoid alcohol, at least while on terbinafine.